Chess puzzles for Friday, 17 July 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 30. Rxf2.
Puzzle rating 876
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, back-rank mate, fork
Show solution
30... Qc1+ 31. Rf1 Rxf1#
FEN: 5r1k/6pp/1p1p4/pPpQp1q1/P1P5/R2P4/5RPP/7K b - - 0 30
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 29... g5.
Puzzle rating 1676
Hint
Show solution
30. Rxe7 Rxe7 31. Qxf6+
FEN: r4k2/1qr1p2p/3p1p2/3P1Pp1/b2Q4/2P1RB2/6PP/4R1K1 w - - 0 30
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 10... h6.
Puzzle rating 2604
Hint
Theme: opening tactic
Show solution
11. Ne6 Qe8 12. Qf5
FEN: rnbq1b1r/pp1kpQp1/1np4p/4p1N1/8/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 0 11