Chess puzzles for Saturday, 24 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 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 28... bxc4.
Puzzle rating 1163
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Opera mate, deflection
Show solution
29. Re8+ Rg8 30. Rxh7#
FEN: 7k/1b3prp/5p2/7R/2pr4/3BRP2/2P3PP/7K w - - 0 29
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 29. e7.
Puzzle rating 1600
Hint
Theme: promotion, advanced pawn, rook endgame
Show solution
29... Re2+ 30. Kd3 Rxe7 31. Rxe7 c1=Q
FEN: 7k/2p1PR1p/p7/8/1P2K3/P4P2/2pr3P/8 b - - 0 29
Hard: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 24... cxd5.
Puzzle rating 2231
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, exposed king, endgame tactic
Show solution
25. Qg5 Kh8 26. Qf6+ Rg7 27. Qxg7#
FEN: r2q4/pp2r2k/3p4/3p1p2/4P3/2P2PR1/PP1Q1P1P/5K2 w - - 0 25