Puzzle #24: Decoy
Rating ≈ 1300 · 2 moves to find
White to move and win material.
Show a hint
Force an enemy piece onto a square where you can win it.
Show the solution
- 11. Qxd4 — the queen takes the knight on d4.
- 11… Qxd4 is the best defence.
- 12. Nxd4 — the knight takes the queen on d4.
Why it works. The first move lures an enemy piece onto a square where it can be captured — a small investment that wins much more. At the end of the line White is about 3 points of material better off.
Themes: Decoy, Winning material
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This position comes from a training game and was checked with a chess engine: every move you need to find is the only one that works.