Chess puzzles for Thursday, 9 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 37... Kd7.
Puzzle rating 722
Hint
Theme: fork, double check, advanced pawn
Show solution
38. c6+ Kc8 39. cxb7+
FEN: 8/1r1k1pp1/4p1p1/2Pp4/8/2RK3P/5PP1/8 w - - 8 38
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 39. Kf1.
Puzzle rating 1515
Hint
Theme: discovered attack, discovered check, clearance
Show solution
39... d2+ 40. Kf2 Bd3
FEN: 3R4/1p6/p7/1b3p2/4k2P/3p4/1P4P1/5K2 b - - 9 39
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 19... Bc6.
Puzzle rating 2378
Hint
Show solution
20. Bd5+ Bxd5 21. Rxe8 Raxe8 22. Be3 Bf3 23. Qb3+ Rf7 24. Bxh6
FEN: r3qrk1/pp5p/2bp2pb/2P4n/3BB3/6P1/PP3P1P/R2QR1K1 w - - 1 20