Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 5 May 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 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 19. Qxc8.
Puzzle rating 1219
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, attacking f2/f7, middlegame tactic
Show solution
19... Qxf2+ 20. Kd1 Qxd2#
FEN: 2Q2rk1/p4ppp/1p2pq2/nP6/4n3/P2BP3/3B1PPP/2R1K2R b K - 0 19
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 32. Bf6.
Puzzle rating 1607
Hint
Theme: discovered attack, deflection, middlegame tactic
Show solution
32... Rxf4 33. Qxf4 Qxe2+
FEN: 5rk1/1p3p2/pb1p1Bp1/1q1P4/2r2PQ1/2P4P/1P2R2K/R7 b - - 2 32
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 18... Rc2.
Puzzle rating 2485
Hint
Theme: defensive move, middlegame tactic
Show solution
19. Qxd4 Rc1+ 20. Bd1 Bc2 21. Qxb6 axb6 22. Ke2
FEN: 4k2r/pp3ppp/1q2p3/1P1p1b2/3n1B2/4PN2/1QrNBPPP/4K2R w Kk - 1 19