Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 12 May 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 41. Kxe3.
Puzzle rating 743
Hint
Theme: fork, endgame tactic
Show solution
41... Ng4+ 42. Kd4 Nxh6
FEN: 7r/5k1P/5p1R/p2pn3/2p5/2P1K3/P1P2p2/5R2 b - - 0 41
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 24. Rd2.
Puzzle rating 1416
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, endgame tactic
Show solution
24... Qxh2+ 25. Kf1 Qg2#
FEN: 1k6/ppp4p/3p4/7q/8/2Q3P1/PPPRr2P/6K1 b - - 1 24
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 45. Qf2.
Puzzle rating 2488
Hint
Theme: advanced pawn, endgame tactic
Show solution
45... Qf3+ 46. Qxf3 gxf3+ 47. Kf2 d2
FEN: 7k/8/p3r3/1pP2q2/1P2p1pP/P2p2P1/5QK1/4R3 b - - 2 45