Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 18 March 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 8... Qxd4.
Puzzle rating 954
Hint
Show solution
9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. Qxd4
FEN: r3kbnr/pp2pppp/2n5/8/3qB3/8/PP3PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 9
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 71... Nxg6.
Puzzle rating 1451
Hint
Theme: defensive move, knight endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
72. Nxg6 Kxg6 73. Kxc5 Kf5 74. Kxc6 Ke5 75. Kc5
FEN: 8/8/2p2kn1/2p5/2K4N/3P4/8/8 w - - 0 72
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 13. Bxg5.
Puzzle rating 2260
Hint
Theme: opening tactic
Show solution
13... hxg5 14. Nxg5 Nf6
FEN: r1bq1rk1/ppp1npb1/7p/3Pp1Bn/4P3/1BN2N2/PPP3PP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 13