Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 3 February 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 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 38. Qxg1.
Puzzle rating 1012
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, Arabian mate, middlegame tactic
Show solution
38... Rxg1#
FEN: 3b2rk/p1p5/2Pp3p/3Np3/PPR5/5n1P/5R2/6QK b - - 0 38
Medium: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 51. Kb2.
Puzzle rating 1668
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, epaulette mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
51... Nd3+ 52. Kb3 a4+ 53. Ka3 Rc3#
FEN: 4Q3/2k5/4R3/ppn5/2r5/8/PK6/8 b - - 1 51
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 30... Kd7.
Puzzle rating 2430
Hint
Theme: pin, endgame tactic
Show solution
31. Qh6 Qxh6 32. Bxh6
FEN: r7/1ppk2bR/p3p1q1/3pPpB1/3P2pQ/3PP3/PP6/2K5 w - - 3 31