Chess puzzles for Thursday, 15 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 33. Ka6.
Puzzle rating 811
Hint
Theme: deflection, endgame tactic
Show solution
33... Nc5+ 34. Kb5 Nxb7
FEN: 6k1/pB5p/K7/6P1/P4p2/3n4/7P/8 b - - 1 33
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 36. bxc6.
Puzzle rating 1802
Hint
Theme: endgame tactic
Show solution
36... Qb2 37. Qb8+ Kg7 38. Qe5+ Nxe5
FEN: 6k1/QB3p1p/2P1pqp1/2Pp4/5P2/3nP1P1/7P/6K1 b - - 0 36
Hard: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 19... Kxg6.
Puzzle rating 2497
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, exposed king, middlegame tactic
Show solution
20. Rh6+ Kg7 21. Rg1+ Bg4 22. Rxg4#
FEN: r1bq1r2/1p2pp2/3p2k1/8/p1PbP3/P1N1B3/1PKnB3/3R3R w - - 0 20