Chess Puzzle #DOG9c — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b8; bishop d7; knight b3; pawns b6/c2/d4/g3/h2. Black: king d8; queen f2; rook h8; bishop b7; pawns d5/f7/g4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxd7 — king d8→d7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight b3→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d7→e7).
3. Best move: Qe5+ — queen b8→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 1Q1k3r/1b1B1p2/1P6/3p4/3P2p1/1N4P1/2P2q1P/7K b - - 10 38

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