Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 13 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 18. Nf3.
Puzzle rating 1105
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, endgame tactic
Show solution
18... Rh8 19. Qxh8+ Bxh8
FEN: 2kr4/ppp3bQ/5qp1/3p4/8/1P2PN2/P1P2PPP/5RK1 b - - 3 18
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 36... Ne6.
Puzzle rating 1779
Hint
Theme: clearance, endgame tactic
Show solution
37. Nf6+ Kh8 38. Qb7 Qc1+ 39. Kg2 Nf4+ 40. gxf4 Rxf6 41. exf6
FEN: 6k1/8/r3n2b/PppNP1q1/3P4/2P2QP1/5P2/5K2 w - - 1 37
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 56... Rg2.
Puzzle rating 2023
Hint
Theme: pin, endgame tactic
Show solution
57. Qc7+ Rg3+ 58. Rd3 Qa5+ 59. Qxa5
FEN: 8/8/6p1/7q/8/K7/1PQ3rk/3R4 w - - 20 57