Chess puzzles for Saturday, 23 May 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 43... Kh7.
Puzzle rating 723
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Anastasia’s mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
44. Qh2+ Qh5 45. Qxh5#
FEN: r7/4Nqpk/3Q1p2/3P4/8/PK6/1P6/8 w - - 1 44
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 10... Nc6.
Puzzle rating 1833
Hint
Theme: opening tactic
Show solution
11. Qf5+ Kb8 12. Qxf8
FEN: r1kq1bnr/pbp3pp/1pn5/4Q3/2B1P3/2N5/PPPP2PP/R1B2RK1 w - - 3 11
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 10. Nxf7.
Puzzle rating 2140
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, opening tactic
Show solution
10... Kxf7 11. Re1 Nxd4
FEN: r2qkb1r/pb3Npp/1pn1pn2/8/2BP4/2N5/PP3PPP/R1BQ1RK1 b kq - 0 10