Chess puzzles for Monday, 5 January 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 32... Qxb1.
Puzzle rating 1101
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, endgame tactic
Show solution
33. Qxb1 Re8 34. Qe1
FEN: 3r2k1/5ppp/p7/8/4Q3/2P4P/PP2p1PK/1q6 w - - 0 33
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 17... c6.
Puzzle rating 1508
Hint
Theme: middlegame tactic
Show solution
18. Bxe4 Qf6 19. Bd3
FEN: r4rk1/p5pp/2p1b3/2pp1p2/4nB2/2qB1QP1/P1P2P1P/R3R1K1 w - - 0 18
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 38. Qxb5.
Puzzle rating 2020
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
38... Bxf3 39. Rxg8+ Qxg8
FEN: 6rk/3n1q1p/5p1B/1Qb1pP1b/p3P3/2P2N1P/P5RK/7B b - - 0 38