Chess puzzles for Thursday, 2 July 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 14... Nxf1.
Puzzle rating 1073
Hint
Theme: discovered attack, discovered check, middlegame tactic
Show solution
15. c5+ Kh8 16. cxd6
FEN: r4rk1/ppp3pp/1bnq1p2/1B2p3/2P5/1QP2N2/PP3PPP/R4nK1 w - - 0 15
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 41. Qhxe6.
Puzzle rating 1402
Hint
Theme: pin, exposed king, endgame tactic
Show solution
41... Rh4+ 42. Q3h3 Rxh3+ 43. Qxh3 Rh5
FEN: 8/8/4Qpk1/1p1p2r1/2r5/4Q3/8/7K b - - 0 41
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 29. Na4.
Puzzle rating 2681
Hint
Theme: discovered check, double check, kingside attack
Show solution
29... Qf4 30. Kg1 Ng4 31. g3 Qe3 32. Qb6 Rxf1+
FEN: 4r1k1/1Q3pp1/p3p2p/4n3/N1P1B3/1P2q3/P4rPP/2R2R1K b - - 5 29