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

Position

White: king e1; queen d2; rooks a1/h1; bishops b3/h6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/g7; knight f6; pawns a7/c6/d7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4 — knight c3→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd2+ (queen a5→d2, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxd2 — bishop h6→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/p2p1pbp/2p1pnpB/q7/4P3/1BN5/PPPQ1PPP/R3K2R b KQ - 1 11

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