Chess puzzles for Monday, 3 August 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 38... axb4.
Puzzle rating 1211
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
39. axb4+ Kc4 40. Rc6#
FEN: 8/8/6R1/1pkpr3/1p4P1/P1P4r/2K5/R7 w - - 0 39
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 41. Qxe6.
Puzzle rating 1763
Hint
Theme: X-ray attack, queenside attack, endgame tactic
Show solution
41... Qxc1+ 42. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 43. Kxc1 fxe6
FEN: 5k2/3r1p2/p1p1Q3/2p1P1P1/3p4/1P1P4/P1Pq4/1KR2R1r b - - 0 41
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 6... Be7.
Puzzle rating 2083
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, sacrifice, attacking f2/f7
Show solution
7. Bxf7+ Nxf7 8. Ne6 Nf6 9. Nxd8
FEN: r1bqk2r/pppnbppp/3p3n/6N1/2BpP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 4 7