Chess puzzles for Thursday, 17 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 22. Nd2.
Puzzle rating 1201
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
22... b4 23. Qxc5 Bxc5
FEN: 3r2k1/p2qbr1p/2p1bpp1/1pp5/P3P3/2QPB2P/1PPN1RP1/5RK1 b - - 1 22
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 24. Rd2.
Puzzle rating 1664
Hint
Theme: discovered attack, sacrifice, kingside attack
Show solution
24... Bxg2+ 25. Kg1 Qe3+ 26. Kxg2 f3+ 27. Kh1 Qxh6
FEN: r4rk1/p6p/2p2ppQ/2p5/2P1bp2/1BB5/P2Rq1PP/2R4K b - - 2 24
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 36. a6.
Puzzle rating 2496
Hint
Theme: defensive move, queen endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
36... e3 37. Qf1+ Ke7
FEN: 8/5kp1/P6p/8/1Pp1p3/2P5/3q2PP/Q6K b - - 0 36