Chess puzzles for Sunday, 19 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 29... Nxe3.
Puzzle rating 1055
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Arabian mate, middlegame tactic
Show solution
30. Rxh7+ Rxh7 31. Rxh7#
FEN: r6k/pp2r2p/2pb1N1R/5p2/3P4/4n2R/P1P1KP2/8 w - - 0 30
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 17... O-O.
Puzzle rating 1570
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
18. Bf4 Qxf4 19. Qxf4
FEN: r4rk1/p3bppp/2p1pn2/3p2B1/8/2N2Q1P/PP2KPPq/R3R3 w - - 10 18
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 21... Rxa7.
Puzzle rating 2498
Hint
Show solution
22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Qxa7
FEN: 3br1k1/rp3ppp/6q1/3R4/4nP2/1NP1Q3/PP4PP/4R1K1 w - - 0 22