Chess puzzles for Thursday, 9 April 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 37. Nc4.
Puzzle rating 784
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, Opera mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
37... Rxf2#
FEN: 8/6kp/1b4p1/1P3p2/2N5/2R2KPP/3r1P2/8 b - - 4 37
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 45... Kh6.
Puzzle rating 1865
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, queen endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
46. Qf4+ g5 47. Qxg5#
FEN: 8/p4ppp/1p2q2k/8/6PP/5QK1/8/8 w - - 1 46
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 36. Bf3.
Puzzle rating 2666
Hint
Theme: capturing the defender, zugzwang, bishop endgame
Show solution
36... Bd7 37. Bd1 Kg3 38. Ke5 Kxg2 39. Kd6 Bxh3
FEN: 4b3/8/2p5/2Pp4/3K1k1p/5B1P/6P1/8 b - - 5 36