Chess puzzles for Friday, 7 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 35... Rxf6.
Puzzle rating 719
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
36. Rh8+ Kg7 37. R1h7#
FEN: 6k1/2pr1p2/p4rp1/1p3p2/8/P6R/1P3P2/1K5R w - - 0 36
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 15. Qg5.
Puzzle rating 1568
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, kingside attack, middlegame tactic
Show solution
15... Ne2+ 16. Kh1 Rxh2#
FEN: r2Nk2r/2p5/p2p1n2/1pb1p1Q1/3nP1b1/1B1P2p1/PPP2PPP/RN3RK1 b kq - 4 15
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 44... Qf6.
Puzzle rating 2370
Hint
Theme: pin, quiet move, queen endgame
Show solution
45. a4 g2 46. Qxf6+ Kxf6 47. Kf2
FEN: 8/5k2/4pq2/8/3P4/6p1/P7/4KQ2 w - - 2 45