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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks c1/f1; bishop b2; knights b3/f3; pawns a2/c5/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b7; queen d7; rooks a8/f8; bishop e6; knights c6/e7; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc5 — pawn d6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc5+ — knight b3→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qb5+ — queen d3→b5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Nxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/pkpqn2p/1pnpb1p1/2P5/4P3/1N1Q1N2/PB3PPP/2R2RK1 b - - 0 19

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