Chess Puzzle #IxFVA — Advanced, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/g2; knights c3/g5; pawns a3/b2/d3/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops e6/e7; knights c6/d5; pawns a5/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6 — knight g5→e6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxd1 (knight c3→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxd8 — knight e6→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Nxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/1pp1bppp/2n1b3/p2np1N1/8/P1NP2P1/1P2PPBP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 1 10

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.