Chess puzzles for Monday, 23 March 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 16. hxg4.
Puzzle rating 1156
Hint
Theme: discovered attack, discovered check, middlegame tactic
Show solution
16... hxg4+ 17. Nh4 Rxh4+
FEN: r1q1k2r/1pp2p2/p2p1p2/2b1p2p/2BnP1P1/P2PBN2/1PP2PPK/R2QR3 b kq - 0 16
Medium: White to move and mate in 5
White to move and mate in 5. The opponent just played 36... Bxd4.
Puzzle rating 1725
Hint
Theme: kingside attack, middlegame tactic
Show solution
37. Qxh7+ Kf8 38. Qh8+ Ke7 39. Qf6+ Kd7 40. Qd6+ Ke8 41. Rh8#
FEN: 2br2k1/1q3p1p/p7/3pP1PR/p1rb4/3Q1P2/1PP4K/6R1 w - - 0 37
Hard: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 38... Kc6.
Puzzle rating 2160
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, endgame tactic
Show solution
39. Qc8+ Kd6 40. Rxe6#
FEN: 3Q4/p5p1/1pk1p3/1qrp4/8/8/1P3PP1/K3R3 w - - 4 39