Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 18 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 39. Rxg1.
Puzzle rating 928
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, smothered mate, middlegame tactic
Show solution
39... Nf2#
FEN: 5rk1/5p2/N5p1/6Nn/2Q5/7n/6PP/6RK b - - 0 39
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 33. b7.
Puzzle rating 1776
Hint
Theme: fork, promotion, exposed king
Show solution
33... Qxf3 34. Rxf3 d1=Q+ 35. Qxd1 Rxd1+
FEN: 3r4/1P4kp/6p1/p7/4q1Pb/PQ2PR1P/3p4/5RK1 b - - 0 33
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 29... Rae8.
Puzzle rating 2234
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
30. Rg1 Qxg1 31. Rxg1
FEN: 4rn2/2p1rk2/bp1p2p1/p2P1p2/2PN1P1Q/8/PPB3q1/1K1RR3 w - - 12 30