Chess Puzzle #K2ixo — Advanced, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishop b4; knights d2/e5; pawns a2/c5/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops a6/e7; knight f6; pawns b6/c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc5 — pawn b6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Nxd8 — knight c6→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Nxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/4bppp/bpp1pn2/2PpN3/1B1P4/4P3/P2N1PPP/R2QK2R b KQ - 1 12

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