Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 31. Nxc2.
Puzzle rating 941
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, discovered attack, discovered check
Show solution
31... d4+ 32. Rf3 Bxf3#
FEN: 6r1/pb3p1k/1p6/3p4/5P2/8/2N4P/1R3R1K b - - 0 31
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 27. Qc5.
Puzzle rating 1843
Hint
Theme: skewer, sacrifice, endgame tactic
Show solution
27... Rxc6 28. Qxb6 Rxc1+
FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/1qP1p1p1/2QpP3/Pr3P2/R6P/6P1/2R3K1 b - - 4 27
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 10. Rc1.
Puzzle rating 2395
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, defensive move, opening tactic
Show solution
10... Qxf4 11. Bb5+ Kd8
FEN: r1b1kb1r/pp2pp1p/5np1/3p4/3q1B2/1P6/P1QN1PPP/2R1KBNR b Kkq - 1 10