Chess puzzles for Friday, 15 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 46. Kd6.
Puzzle rating 710
Hint
Theme: fork, endgame tactic
Show solution
46... Ne4+ 47. Ke5 Nxf2
FEN: 8/6k1/3K2p1/5pnp/8/7P/5RP1/8 b - - 1 46
Medium: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 18... Ng4.
Puzzle rating 1754
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, Opera mate, discovered check
Show solution
19. Qh8+ Kxh8 20. Rh5+ Kg8 21. Rh8#
FEN: r2r2k1/pp2bp2/2pqp1pQ/4R3/6n1/1P6/PBPP1PPP/R5K1 w - - 2 19
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 25... Rxg6.
Puzzle rating 2059
Hint
Theme: fork, middlegame tactic
Show solution
26. Qf7+ Ka8 27. Bxc5
FEN: 3r4/pk6/bpnbQ1r1/2q5/8/P1P1B3/2P3PP/R2R3K w - - 0 26