Chess puzzles for Monday, 25 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 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 18... Qxh7.
Puzzle rating 715
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, back-rank mate, hanging piece
Show solution
19. Rxd8#
FEN: r1br2k1/5ppq/2p1p3/p7/8/P3PN2/1P2QPPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 19
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 33... Qg7.
Puzzle rating 1685
Hint
Theme: fork, attraction (decoy), exposed king
Show solution
34. Qxg7+ Kxg7 35. Rxd7+ Kxg6 36. Rxb7
FEN: 2r2rk1/pb1n2q1/1b3pPQ/4p3/4P3/8/4BP1P/B2R1RK1 w - - 1 34
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 36... Kf2.
Puzzle rating 2661
Hint
Theme: bishop endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
37. Bh1 Bd3 38. a6 bxa6 39. b6
FEN: 8/1p6/7p/PP3p2/4b3/8/5kBK/8 w - - 3 37