Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and mate in 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 37... Kf4.
Puzzle rating 972
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, endgame tactic
Show solution
38. Nd3#
FEN: r7/8/2pp3p/1p1b1Pp1/1N3kP1/P1P4P/5K2/4R3 w - - 7 38
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 21. Qxc6.
Puzzle rating 1633
Hint
Show solution
21... Bd4+ 22. Kh2 bxc6
FEN: 5r1k/pppn3p/2Qp2p1/5r2/2P2P2/1Pb4P/P1PB2P1/1R3RK1 b - - 0 21
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 49... b6.
Puzzle rating 2698
Hint
Theme: quiet move, zugzwang, pawn endgame
Show solution
50. b5 axb5 51. cxb5 Kd7 52. a3 Ke7 53. Kc6 d5 54. Kxd5
FEN: 8/2k5/pp1p4/3K4/1PP5/8/P7/8 w - - 0 50