Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 38. c4.
Puzzle rating 1291
Hint
Theme: skewer, queen endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
38... Qb6+ 39. Kd5 Qxe3
FEN: 6k1/p4p2/4q1p1/2K1P3/2P5/4Q2P/P7/8 b - - 0 38
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 27. Rxd6.
Puzzle rating 1450
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
27... Qxd6 28. Qc3+ Qf6
FEN: 5r2/2q2pk1/p2R2pp/8/4Bp2/7Q/PrP2PPP/5RK1 b - - 0 27
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 39... Nxh2.
Puzzle rating 2425
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, endgame tactic
Show solution
40. Bd6 Nf1 41. Kd3 h5 42. Ke2 Nd2 43. Kxd2
FEN: 7k/6pp/8/6p1/1B2K3/5P2/6Pn/8 w - - 0 40