Chess puzzles for Sunday, 11 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 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 44. Nf3.
Puzzle rating 743
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, epaulette mate, Opera mate
Show solution
44... Re4+ 45. Kg5 Rg4#
FEN: 8/4r1k1/2p3p1/1p3b1p/5K1P/1PP2NP1/1P3R2/8 b - - 2 44
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 17... Bxd5.
Puzzle rating 1819
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Opera mate, sacrifice
Show solution
18. Qe8+ Rxe8 19. Rxe8#
FEN: r4k1r/5pbp/pq4p1/1B1b4/5Bn1/8/PPP1QPPP/2K1R3 w - - 0 18
Hard: White to move and mate in 4
White to move and mate in 4. The opponent just played 22... Be2.
Puzzle rating 2302
Hint
Theme: mate in 4, Opera mate, pin
Show solution
23. Qxh7+ Kxh7 24. Rh4+ Bh5 25. Rxh5+ Kg8 26. Rh8#
FEN: r3r1k1/pq3p1p/2p1p1p1/5B1Q/3B2R1/6P1/P1P1bP1P/6K1 w - - 2 23