Chess Puzzle #M39v8 — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/e4; knights b1/g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/d6; knights a5/f6; pawns a7/c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe4 — bishop b7→e4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4 — knight g5→e4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxe4 (knight f6→e4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxe4 — queen h4→e4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Nxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pb3ppp/3b1n2/n1p3N1/4B2Q/8/PPPP1PPP/RNB2RK1 b - - 0 13

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