Chess Puzzle #Xs1Xl — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/c4; knight f3; pawns a2/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops g4/g7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/e7/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: Qxd4 — queen d1→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen d8→d4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pp2ppbp/2n3p1/4P3/2BP2b1/5N2/P4PPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 2 12

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