Chess puzzles for Monday, 31 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 18. Rxg1.
Puzzle rating 741
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, smothered mate, middlegame tactic
Show solution
18... Nf2#
FEN: r4rk1/p3Bppp/4b3/3p3Q/2p5/2P4n/PPBN2PP/1R4RK b - - 0 18
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 37... gxh6.
Puzzle rating 1823
Hint
Theme: exposed king, endgame tactic
Show solution
38. Rh7+ Kd6 39. Rxd7+ Kxd7 40. gxh6
FEN: 7R/pp1rk3/2p1n2p/5pP1/3P4/P3K3/1P4B1/8 w - - 0 38
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 39. gxf5.
Puzzle rating 2221
Hint
Theme: pawn endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
39... gxf5 40. b7 Kc7 41. b8=Q+ Kxb8
FEN: 8/7p/1P1kp1p1/3p1P2/3P1P1P/5K2/8/8 b - - 0 39