Chess puzzles for Sunday, 21 June 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 25. Qxa7.
Puzzle rating 1214
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
25... Ra6 26. Qxa6 bxa6
FEN: 2k3r1/Qpq2p2/3r1pp1/2pPp3/2P1PbP1/5R1P/PP2B3/1K1R4 b - - 0 25
Medium: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 45... a1=Q.
Puzzle rating 1481
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, hook mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
46. Rg7+ Ke8 47. Rg8+ Kd7 48. Rd8#
FEN: 8/4pk2/4Np1p/1p1K1P2/1P5P/2b5/7r/q5R1 w - - 0 46
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 36. Qf3.
Puzzle rating 2074
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
36... Bh5 37. Qf5+ Rxf5
FEN: 8/4qp1k/p2p2b1/1p2r3/4P2r/1P2RQRP/P4PBK/8 b - - 4 36