Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 21 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 51. Ke4.
Puzzle rating 960
Hint
Theme: fork, endgame tactic
Show solution
51... Nd6+ 52. Ke5 Nxb5
FEN: 8/6p1/8/1R3nP1/3PKP2/8/1p5P/2k5 b - - 6 51
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 42. Re6.
Puzzle rating 1462
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, X-ray attack, sacrifice
Show solution
42... Qf1+ 43. Rxf1 Qxf1#
FEN: 6k1/6r1/4R2Q/1p6/8/3q2B1/6PP/1q2R2K b - - 2 42
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 58... a3.
Puzzle rating 2125
Hint
Theme: promotion, advanced pawn, endgame tactic
Show solution
59. h7 Qc7 60. Qf2+ Qb6 61. Qxb6+ Kxb6 62. h8=Q
FEN: 5Q2/kp6/7P/q2P4/8/p1r3P1/6PK/8 w - - 0 59