Chess puzzles for Sunday, 20 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 27. Qd2.
Puzzle rating 1268
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, middlegame tactic
Show solution
27... Na3#
FEN: 5r1k/5pp1/p2p3p/1npB1N2/1pK1P3/3P4/PqPQ4/R4R2 b - - 1 27
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 71. Nxc3.
Puzzle rating 1893
Hint
Theme: deflection, knight endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
71... a3+ 72. Ka1 Kxc3
FEN: 8/8/8/8/pk1p4/2NP4/1KP5/8 b - - 0 71
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 43. Ba5.
Puzzle rating 2201
Hint
Theme: defensive move, exposed king, advanced pawn
Show solution
43... f3+ 44. Ke3 Bd4+ 45. Kd2 g3 46. d6 g2 47. d7 Bf6
FEN: 8/8/8/B1pPb1kp/4Ppp1/1P1B4/2P1K3/8 b - - 1 43