Chess puzzles for Sunday, 13 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 12. Ne2.
Puzzle rating 1272
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, smothered mate, opening tactic
Show solution
12... Nf3#
FEN: 2kr1b1r/ppp1qppp/3p1n2/8/3n2b1/3PN1P1/PPPBNP1P/R2QKB1R b KQ - 4 12
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 9. Nce5.
Puzzle rating 1630
Hint
Theme: opening tactic
Show solution
9... Nxe5 10. Qxd7+ Nxd7
FEN: 2kr2nr/pppq1ppp/2n5/2b1N3/Q5b1/2P2N2/PP2PPPP/R1B1KB1R b KQ - 8 9
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 31... Rg8.
Puzzle rating 2391
Hint
Theme: discovered check, double check, quiet move
Show solution
32. Qh5 Rf8 33. Bxg7+
FEN: 3q2rk/1r1p2b1/2p1ppQB/3nP3/3P3N/1P1R2P1/P4P1P/6K1 w - - 1 32