Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 45. a4.
Puzzle rating 1251
Hint
Theme: endgame tactic
Show solution
45... Re8 46. Kd3 Rxe3+
FEN: 5r2/6p1/7p/3B3P/P4kP1/4N3/4K3/8 b - - 0 45
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 49... Bxd5.
Puzzle rating 1475
Hint
Theme: defensive move, bishop endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
50. cxd5 Kxd5 51. Kf1 Kd4 52. Ke2
FEN: 8/8/3k4/2pbp3/1pP2p2/1P1P1Pp1/6P1/4B1K1 w - - 0 50
Hard: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 39. Kf3.
Puzzle rating 2030
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, attraction (decoy), sacrifice
Show solution
39... Rxe3+ 40. Kxe3 Qd3#
FEN: k3r3/pp3p2/6q1/3Q4/2pP1P2/4PK2/P4R1N/8 b - - 11 39