Chess puzzles for Monday, 16 February 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 39. Qa2+.
Puzzle rating 974
Hint
Theme: defensive move, endgame tactic
Show solution
39... Kh8 40. g3 Qd4+
FEN: 1r4k1/6p1/p2q3p/1p6/1P2B1n1/P7/Q5PP/5RK1 b - - 1 39
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 36. Rhe7+.
Puzzle rating 1780
Hint
Theme: sacrifice, promotion, advanced pawn
Show solution
36... Qxe7 37. Rxe7+ Kd6 38. Rf7 d1=Q
FEN: 8/R3R3/1p6/4k3/1q6/6PK/3p3P/8 b - - 1 36
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 24... axb3.
Puzzle rating 2179
Hint
Theme: fork, discovered attack, endgame tactic
Show solution
25. Qc4+ Kb8 26. Rxb7+ Qxb7 27. Bxb7
FEN: 2kr3r/1p3QRp/1q3p2/4pP2/4B3/1p6/1PP4P/2K5 w - - 0 25