Chess puzzles for Thursday, 27 August 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 36. axb5.
Puzzle rating 703
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, endgame tactic
Show solution
36... Nf2#
FEN: 6r1/1npk4/p2p4/1P1Pp3/1P2P1np/2N5/2P4P/R5RK b - - 0 36
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 41. Kh3.
Puzzle rating 1886
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, deflection, endgame tactic
Show solution
41... g4+ 42. Kh4 Qxh2#
FEN: 6k1/p5r1/R4P1Q/6p1/8/6PK/4q2P/8 b - - 2 41
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 43... Kg5.
Puzzle rating 2429
Hint
Theme: rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
44. Rg8+ Kh4 45. Rf1 Rg4 46. Rh1+ Kg3 47. Rg1+
FEN: 4R3/p4p2/2pK4/3p2k1/2r5/P1P2R2/2r5/8 w - - 8 44