Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 9 September 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 30. Rxh6.
Puzzle rating 853
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
30... Re1#
FEN: 8/2p1r3/pp5R/2k5/P1P5/1R6/1P1r2PP/6K1 b - - 0 30
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 16. Qxd6.
Puzzle rating 1524
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, pin, discovered attack
Show solution
16... Nb3+ 17. axb3 Qxc2#
FEN: r1q1r1k1/pp3ppp/3Q1pb1/2n5/6PN/4B2P/PPP1BP2/2KR3R b - - 0 16
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 62. Rxa3.
Puzzle rating 2001
Hint
Theme: endgame tactic
Show solution
62... Rxa3 63. gxf3+ Rxf3
FEN: 5B2/8/6p1/7p/4k3/R4p1P/r5PK/8 b - - 0 62