Chess puzzles for Monday, 17 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 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 18... Be6.
Puzzle rating 737
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, hanging piece, kingside attack
Show solution
19. Bxe6#
FEN: r2q2kr/pp2b2p/2n1b1pQ/4p3/2B1P3/2P2N2/P4PP1/R1B1K2R w KQ - 2 19
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 42... Rc6+.
Puzzle rating 1447
Hint
Theme: defensive move, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
43. Rxc6 bxc6 44. Kf6
FEN: 5k2/1p6/pRr3K1/P7/1P6/8/8/8 w - - 1 43
Hard: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 27. cxd4.
Puzzle rating 2434
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, Opera mate, attraction (decoy)
Show solution
27... Qxh2+ 28. Kxh2 Rh8+ 29. Kg1 Rh1#
FEN: r7/1b4p1/p4k2/4p2q/2QP4/6P1/PP3P1P/RN3RK1 b - - 0 27