I'm doing the tactics modules in my personal chess trainer and it doesn't explain the moves, I just get to figure out why the move is the best move. I've run across one that doesn't make sense to me. Either it is just a bad puzzle or I'm not seeing something. Here is the original puzzle:

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8...unknownar9.png

Here is the solution:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1...nownsolqh0.png

1. d6 Qxd6 2. Qxd6 Nxd6 (or cxd6) 3. Bxb4 wins the b4 knight for the d pawn.

--Fromper

Right, only way to save the N in that situation would be Qxp and that loses major material. The N on b4 is hanging, the Queen is what they call in chess terminology "overworked".

It's a fine move .

Thanks, I wasn't seeing that at all. I'm used to seeing diagonals that are opened by pawn moves, but I'm not used to looking at pawns cutting off diagonals. I've seen it done a few times since starting the 2nd module.

Looking at other options, even if black tries Nxc3 threatening the white queen, then bxc3 still wins the knight on b4. Besides, if white decides to take the queen, then he could take the rook if black decides to take the queen. Better to give up the knight.