Chess puzzles for Monday, 24 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 21... f6.
Puzzle rating 1165
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, kingside attack, middlegame tactic
Show solution
22. Qg6+ Kh8 23. Nf7#
FEN: r3r1k1/pp5n/2pb1p2/3pN2P/3P2p1/2NQ4/PPP2P1q/R3RK2 w - - 0 22
Medium: White to move and mate in 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 29... Kc5.
Puzzle rating 1689
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, endgame tactic
Show solution
30. Bd6#
FEN: 7r/8/pR2p1n1/2kp1q2/2p2Bp1/2P5/5P1P/1R4K1 w - - 3 30
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 51. Ke2.
Puzzle rating 2395
Hint
Theme: zugzwang, pawn endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
51... Kg4 52. Kf2 Kf4
FEN: 8/8/4p3/4Pk2/3p4/1p1P4/1P2K3/8 b - - 3 51