Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 8 July 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 20. Bxg7.
Puzzle rating 1126
Hint
Theme: pin, middlegame tactic
Show solution
20... Bf5 21. Bxf8 Bxe4+
FEN: 2b2rk1/p3p1Bp/2pp2p1/1q6/4Q3/1P6/PP3PPP/1K1R3R b - - 0 20
Medium: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 27. Kxd3.
Puzzle rating 1484
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, middlegame tactic
Show solution
27... Qe4#
FEN: r5k1/p4ppp/8/2p2R2/N1Pp3r/1P1K4/P2B2q1/R2Q4 b - - 0 27
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 12. Nxe4.
Puzzle rating 2238
Hint
Theme: opening tactic
Show solution
12... Bxe4 13. Bxe4 Nxe4
FEN: 1r1qkb1r/p4ppp/1pn1pnb1/8/3PN3/P2B1N2/1P3PPP/R1BQ1RK1 b k - 0 12