Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 7 January 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 39. Rxc2.
Puzzle rating 941
Hint
Theme: fork, endgame tactic
Show solution
39... Ne1+ 40. Kf1 Nxc2
FEN: 8/5pk1/p2rpb1p/1p5P/1P2BP2/P2nP3/2R1N1K1/8 b - - 0 39
Medium: White to move and mate in 4
White to move and mate in 4. The opponent just played 23... Qc6.
Puzzle rating 1429
Hint
Theme: mate in 4, sacrifice, endgame tactic
Show solution
24. Qxf7+ Rxf7 25. Rd8+ Qe8 26. Rxe8+ Rf8 27. Rfxf8#
FEN: 5rk1/3R1ppp/p1q1p3/4P2Q/8/8/Pr4PP/5R1K w - - 2 24