I just finished a computer analysis of a game I played earlier today. Here is the beginning of the game up to the move I'm confused about:

My last move, Bc5, was annotated as "Bc5?!" by the computer analysis engine. I'm not claiming that was my best move. What I'm confused about is the computer claims Nxe4 would have been the best move, which, apparently, would have been followed by white's Qe2. Is the computer confused or am I missing something here? Nxe4 obviously kills my Knight.

Should I not have as much faith in this chess engine as I do, or is there something deeper I'm not seeing?

actually if you wil go for Nxe4 than you will get Rook

...Nxe4

fxe4  Qh4+

g3 Qxe4+

Ne2 Qxh1

It gave the question mark because you would have gotten a free pawn if you played Nxe4.  That or you would end up roughly a rook up like the line in my diagram.

It gave the exclamation sign because it was still a valid idea. 

Holy crap.

There is nothing wrong with the chess engine...after 3...Nxe4 black is winning, since 4.fxe4 Qh4+ 5.g3 Qxe4+.  Now there are no good moves for white.  This is like a reverse Damiano defense, or something

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damiano_Defence

if you opponent move king than I think codition will be worse..

I think your 3...Bc5 is a fine move, but 3...Nxe4 is a perfectly good move too. WHite can play 4.fxe4. of course, but you have 4...Qh4+ 5.Ke2 (if 5.g3 then 5...Qxe4 picks up the Rook on h1) 5...Qxe4 6.Kf2 Bc5+ 7.d4 (7.Kg3 Qf4+ 8.Kh3 d5+ and White is getting mated). 7...Bxd4+ and You have three pawns for your piece, you are way ahead in development, and White's King is exposed and a long way from home. You're Doing well.

lol

(The only thing I don't agree with is giving a "?!" to Bc5.  That's a good move too...but Nxe4 was more incisive there.)

Thanks IM pfren, that is a very insightful observation.  The c4 pawn does make that subtle difference.  Shredder gave 8...Qf5 as a way to keep black's edge, but I definitely see how it's not just simply a reverse Damiano.  Cool and instructve post!

like everyone said, if you find your opponent playing the Damiano's Defence, you take his e-pawn with your knight

Getting back to your initial question: 3...Bc5 was a perfectly good move, probably as good as 3...Bxe4 and simpler.

Wow, quite instructive. Look at this little gem that is just in the forum posts. Thanks, everyone. This is the most interesting thing I have read, watched, or heard about in days. I appreciate high rated players taking time out to crack open these lines of play.

yes thank you everyone

By the way, it's nice to see a fellow IPU follower.