Chess Puzzle #LbaZc — Advanced, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen h4; rooks a1/h1; bishops d2/e2; knights b3/c3; pawns a3/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e5; knights b6/b8; pawns a6/b7/e4/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc4 — knight b6→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd5 — knight c3→d5. Opponent replies Qf7 (queen c7→f7).
3. Best move: Bxc4 — bishop e2→c4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd5.

Position data

FEN: rnb2rk1/1pq3p1/pn5p/4bp2/2P1p2Q/PNN5/1P1BBPPP/R3K2R b KQ - 3 17

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