Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 20 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 55... d1=Q.
Puzzle rating 706
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, Opera mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
56. Rh7#
FEN: 8/bP3R2/3p3k/3P1B2/7P/1r6/6K1/3q4 w - - 0 56
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 21... Qxf2.
Puzzle rating 1559
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Arabian mate, Opera mate
Show solution
22. Qg8+ Rxg8 23. Rxg8#
FEN: 2b2r1k/r6p/p1np1N2/6Q1/1p6/1B6/PPP2q2/2K3R1 w - - 0 22
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 41... Kc6.
Puzzle rating 2372
Hint
Theme: pawn endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
42. b5+ Kc7 43. Kb4 d3 44. Kc3 d2 45. Kxd2
FEN: 8/7p/2k5/K4p2/1P1p1P2/8/7P/8 w - - 1 42