Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 2 September 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 26... Rxg5.
Puzzle rating 1036
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Arabian mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
27. Rxh7+ Rxh7 28. Rxh7#
FEN: 7k/1p1b1r1p/p2p1N1R/2p1p1r1/P1P1P3/1P1K4/2P5/7R w - - 0 27
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 57... h4.
Puzzle rating 1669
Hint
Theme: defensive move, advanced pawn, bishop endgame
Show solution
58. e7 Kd7 59. Kf7
FEN: 8/2k5/4P1Kp/8/5P1p/8/1b6/8 w - - 0 58
Hard: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 37... Rxh5.
Puzzle rating 2365
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, attraction (decoy), sacrifice
Show solution
38. Rc7+ Kf6 39. Rxf7+ Kxf7 40. Qg7#
FEN: 6R1/4kp2/4p2p/3b3r/8/6Q1/4qP2/2R3K1 w - - 0 38