Chess Puzzle #HJIc5 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook e1; knights a5/b1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e7; knights c6/e5; pawns a7/c4/c5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa5 — knight c6→a5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen c3→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight a5→c6).
3. Best move: Qd5+ — queen e5→d5, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/p3b1pp/2n5/N1p1n3/2p5/2Q5/P4PPP/1N2R1K1 b - - 1 17

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