Chess puzzles for Friday, 20 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 15. Ngf3.
Puzzle rating 1210
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
15... Be8 16. Qxh7 Nxh7
FEN: r2k2n1/p2bb2r/2p1pnQp/qp1p1p2/3P1P2/P1P1PNB1/1P1N2PP/1R2KB1R b K - 4 15
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 50. Nxd6.
Puzzle rating 1883
Hint
Theme: defensive move, promotion, advanced pawn
Show solution
50... g3 51. Kf4 g2 52. Nf7 g1=Q 53. Ng5+ Kg2
FEN: 8/8/3N4/3p2K1/3P2p1/7k/8/8 b - - 0 50
Hard: Black to move and mate in 5
Black to move and mate in 5. The opponent just played 24. Qxg4.
Puzzle rating 2159
Hint
Theme: pin, deflection, X-ray attack
Show solution
24... Qxb2+ 25. Rxb2 Nd2+ 26. Ka1 Rxc1+ 27. Bb1 Rxb1+ 28. Rxb1 Rxb1#
FEN: 1rr3k1/p5pp/1q2p3/3p4/3Pn1QP/3BP3/PPR2P2/1KR5 b - - 0 24