Chess puzzles for Thursday, 23 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 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 32. Nf3.
Puzzle rating 1190
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, endgame tactic
Show solution
32... Re4#
FEN: 3r4/5k1p/2p1p3/1p3p2/3r3P/1P2KN2/2P2PP1/2R4R b - - 3 32
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 11... O-O.
Puzzle rating 1533
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
12. Nh4 Qxe4 13. Rxe4
FEN: r4rk1/ppp2ppp/2nbb1q1/6B1/2ppN3/5N2/PPP2PPP/R2QR1K1 w - - 8 12
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 26... Na5.
Puzzle rating 2326
Hint
Theme: interference, sacrifice, middlegame tactic
Show solution
27. f6+ Kg6 28. Ne7+ Kxf6 29. Rf1+ Kxe7 30. Rxf7+ Kd8 31. Rxh8+
FEN: r6r/2pb1pk1/p2p4/np1N1Pp1/3PP3/PB5R/1P4P1/3R2K1 w - - 3 27