Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 21 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 40. Rf6.
Puzzle rating 975
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, pin, endgame tactic
Show solution
40... Nf3+ 41. Kh1 Rf1#
FEN: 8/6R1/5R2/5p2/P2npk2/7P/5rPK/8 b - - 2 40
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 22... Qg5.
Puzzle rating 1421
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, discovered check, double check
Show solution
23. Nf8+ Kh8 24. Qh7#
FEN: 2r5/pb1n2bk/1p1p2Np/5Qq1/3P4/4r2P/PP1N2P1/R4RK1 w - - 4 23
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 26. Nc5.
Puzzle rating 2394
Hint
Theme: intermezzo (zwischenzug), sacrifice, quiet move
Show solution
26... Rh8 27. Qxe4 Qh2+ 28. Kf1 dxe4
FEN: 2r2r2/Rpq2kp1/4pp2/2Np4/1P1Pb1P1/2P5/1P2QP2/R5K1 b - - 3 26