Chess puzzles for Thursday, 10 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 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 23. Kxh2.
Puzzle rating 740
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Anastasia’s mate, middlegame tactic
Show solution
23... Rh8+ 24. Qh7 Rxh7#
FEN: r7/1b1kpQ2/p3npp1/8/3P4/4P3/4nPPK/R1B2R2 b - - 0 23
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 22. Rf1.
Puzzle rating 1597
Hint
Theme: deflection, kingside attack, endgame tactic
Show solution
22... Qe3+ 23. Kg2 Qe2+ 24. Kg3 Qxf1
FEN: 1k3r2/ppp3p1/3pQ2p/6q1/1PBpP1P1/P2P3P/2P4P/5RK1 b - - 1 22
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 12. Ne4.
Puzzle rating 2315
Hint
Theme: opening tactic
Show solution
12... Nxe4 13. Qxe4 f6
FEN: rn1q2k1/p1pprppp/bp3n2/3Pb1B1/4N3/5Q2/PPP1PPPP/R3KBNR b KQ - 10 12