Chess puzzles for Sunday, 18 January 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and mate in 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 36... Qf8+.
Puzzle rating 733
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, hanging piece, endgame tactic
Show solution
37. Qxf8#
FEN: 3Q1q1k/7p/3p3R/3Pp1p1/2r1P3/3p2PP/8/5K2 w - - 6 37
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 21. Bg6.
Puzzle rating 1588
Hint
Show solution
21... Qxg7 22. fxg7 Bxg6
FEN: 2krb3/1pq3Q1/pbp1pPB1/3pP3/5P2/8/PPPN1P1P/R3K3 b Q - 3 21
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 62. Rd7+.
Puzzle rating 2336
Hint
Theme: defensive move, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
62... Kc4 63. Rc7+ Kb3
FEN: 8/3R4/8/1p5P/pP1k4/P6K/8/r7 b - - 4 62