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

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishop h6; knights a3/b3; pawns a4/b2/c2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c8/f8; bishop g7; knights b4/f6; pawns a5/b7/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc2 — knight b4→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc2 — knight a3→c2, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxh6 (bishop g7→h6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxh6 — queen d2→h6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1p1qppbp/3p1npB/p7/Pn2P3/NN3P2/1PPQ2PP/2KR3R b - - 4 15

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