Chess Puzzle #D4Gnc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c6; queen e6; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/c8; pawns a7/b7/d5/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxd5+ — pawn c4→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen e6→d5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: dxe4 — pawn d3→e4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move cxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b4r/pp4p1/2k1q2p/2bpp3/2P5/3P1Q2/PP3PPP/R1B2RK1 b - - 0 17

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