Chess puzzles for Thursday, 14 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 39. Qxc2.
Puzzle rating 952
Hint
Show solution
39... Rh8+ 40. Kg5 Rh5#
FEN: 5r2/6k1/6p1/1p2Pp2/5P1K/6PP/P1Q5/8 b - - 0 39
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 32. c6.
Puzzle rating 1754
Hint
Theme: endgame tactic
Show solution
32... Qb6+ 33. Bd4 exd4
FEN: 7k/p5p1/2P5/4p2p/6n1/PqBQ2P1/7P/6K1 b - - 0 32
Hard: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 16. Kd2.
Puzzle rating 2369
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, fork, double check
Show solution
16... Nb3+ 17. Kc3 Qd4+ 18. Kxc2 Nxa1#
FEN: r2qR1nr/pQp2ppp/5k2/2b5/B2n1N2/8/PPbK1PPP/RNB5 b - - 1 16