Chess puzzles for Thursday, 1 January 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 43. Kc5.
Puzzle rating 822
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, hook mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
43... Rd5#
FEN: 8/p2r3p/1nN2kp1/2K1pp2/1P5P/2P2PP1/8/1R6 b - - 6 43
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 30... Bb4.
Puzzle rating 1670
Hint
Theme: endgame tactic
Show solution
31. Na6 Bd6 32. Nxb8
FEN: 1r2k3/p4ppp/4p3/2N5/Rb6/pP2P1P1/5PKP/8 w - - 2 31
Hard: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 25... Bb4.
Puzzle rating 2052
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, Opera mate, X-ray attack
Show solution
26. Qd8+ Rxd8 27. Rxd8+ Bf8 28. Rxf8#
FEN: 1Rr3k1/5p1p/3Q2pB/p4q2/1br1p3/8/P4PPP/5RK1 w - - 4 26