Chess Puzzle #NyCK2 — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops d2/f3; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishop b4; knights c6/g8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g6/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: Nxd4 — knight e2→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxd2+ (bishop b4→d2, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxd2 — queen d1→d2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3k1nr/1p3p1p/pqn1p1p1/3pP3/1b1P4/5B1P/PP1BNPP1/R2QK2R b KQkq - 5 12

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