Chess puzzles for Thursday, 16 July 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 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 30... Bg5.
Puzzle rating 1098
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, hanging piece, endgame tactic
Show solution
31. Qxg5+ Kf8 32. Rh8#
FEN: 6k1/4pp2/3p4/2pP2b1/p1P2PQ1/4P1P1/Pr1q2P1/6KR w - - 4 31
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 46... Bxb5.
Puzzle rating 1832
Hint
Theme: skewer, endgame tactic
Show solution
47. Rg5+ Kd4 48. Rxb5
FEN: 8/p3p1R1/3p4/Pb2k3/5p2/8/5K2/8 w - - 0 47
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 53. Rf2.
Puzzle rating 2244
Hint
Theme: pin, endgame tactic
Show solution
53... Qh3+ 54. Ke2 Rxe3+ 55. Qxe3 Re7
FEN: 8/3k1r2/p6P/3p1PQ1/6P1/1r2RK2/5R2/5q2 b - - 6 53