Chess puzzles for Friday, 27 February 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 40... Rxe3.
Puzzle rating 721
Hint
Theme: fork, endgame tactic
Show solution
41. Nxf5+ Kf4 42. Nxe3
FEN: 8/p5N1/2p5/5p2/1P1P4/P3r1k1/8/6K1 w - - 0 41
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 27... Bxe5.
Puzzle rating 1422
Hint
Show solution
28. Bd5+ Kg7 29. Bxe5+ Qxe5 30. Rxe5
FEN: 5rk1/p3q2p/6p1/2p1b3/P2p4/3r1BB1/6PP/4RRK1 w - - 0 28
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 23... Rh8.
Puzzle rating 2474
Hint
Show solution
24. fxg6 f6 25. Rh7+ Rxh7 26. gxh7+
FEN: r6r/pp2qpk1/2p3p1/2PpNP2/3Pn3/5Q1R/PP5P/6RK w - - 1 24