Chess Puzzle #NVLz9 — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks a1/f1; bishop c2; knights b1/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops a7/g6; knight c6; pawns a6/b4/c7/f4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop g6→c2, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen c4→c2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move cxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qr1k1/b1p2ppp/p1n3b1/8/1pQP1p2/2P2NPP/PPB2P2/RN3RK1 b - - 3 18

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