Chess puzzles for Friday, 25 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 26. Qh5.
Puzzle rating 1091
Hint
Show solution
26... Rxg3+ 27. fxg3 Qxh5
FEN: 4r1k1/pp3q2/2p1p1rp/3p3Q/P2P4/2P3P1/1P2RP1P/R5K1 b - - 3 26
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 35. Kg3.
Puzzle rating 1793
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, endgame tactic
Show solution
35... Rxg2+ 36. Kh3 Qg4#
FEN: 7k/5pp1/2Q4p/p1R5/4q3/PP4K1/3r2PP/5R2 b - - 2 35
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 27. Nhg4.
Puzzle rating 2170
Hint
Theme: middlegame tactic
Show solution
27... Bc3 28. Bxf4 Bxd2
FEN: 3r2r1/p4q1k/2pp3p/4bbp1/5nN1/1P2BP1P/P2Q1NP1/3R1RK1 b - - 1 27