Chess Puzzle #dNr9I — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e2; queen b3; rooks d1/h1; bishops c4/e3; knights c3/g1; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks c8/h8; bishops f5/f8; knights b4/e4; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3+ — knight e4→c3, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook c8→c4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen b3→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1kb1r/pp2pppp/8/q4b2/1nBPn3/1QN1B3/PP2KPPP/3R2NR b k - 11 12

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