Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 26 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 23... Kxh8.
Puzzle rating 844
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Opera mate, discovered check
Show solution
24. Rh5+ Kg8 25. Rh8#
FEN: r2q1r1k/1b1p1p2/1p2p1p1/p3R3/6p1/8/PBP2P1P/6K1 w - - 0 24
Medium: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 24. Ne4.
Puzzle rating 1658
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, discovered check, double check
Show solution
24... Qg2+ 25. Bxg2 hxg2+ 26. Kg1 Rh1#
FEN: 2kr3r/1p2n3/pP1b1p2/6p1/3PNnq1/1Q3N1p/5P2/R1B1RB1K b - - 1 24
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 28. Bxc3.
Puzzle rating 2311
Hint
Theme: endgame tactic
Show solution
28... bxc3 29. Nc4 Kb4 30. Ne3 Ka3
FEN: 8/6bp/6p1/Nkp5/1p6/1PB3P1/P4P1P/6K1 b - - 0 28