Chess puzzles for Saturday, 11 April 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 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 4... Nd4.
Puzzle rating 879
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, deflection, attacking f2/f7
Show solution
5. Qxf7+ Kd8 6. Qxf8#
FEN: r1b1kbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p1q1/P1BnP3/5Q2/1PPP1PPP/RNB1K1NR w KQkq - 3 5
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 29... Nxf5.
Puzzle rating 1453
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Pillsbury’s mate, kingside attack
Show solution
30. Qxe8+ Qxe8 31. Rxe8#
FEN: 3qr1k1/1b3p1p/p5pB/1p1pQn2/3N4/1Pr2P1P/P3R3/R5K1 w - - 0 30
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 30... b5.
Puzzle rating 2434
Hint
Theme: defensive move, endgame tactic
Show solution
31. Nd6 Rd2+ 32. Kc1 Bxd6 33. Kxd2
FEN: 1k1q4/4bp1R/p5p1/1pprP3/2N3P1/1P3Q2/PK3P2/8 w - - 0 31