Chess puzzles for Friday, 2 October 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 34... cxd4.
Puzzle rating 732
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, endgame tactic
Show solution
35. Be5+ Nf6 36. Bxf6#
FEN: r6k/1p5p/3B4/3n4/3p2R1/6PK/p6P/8 w - - 0 35
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 14... Bxd2.
Puzzle rating 1774
Hint
Show solution
15. Ne7+ Kh7 16. Qxd2
FEN: r2q1rk1/pbp2pp1/2p4p/3N4/8/1P1P4/1PPbQPPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 15
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 16... Bxb2.
Puzzle rating 2238
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
17. Bxb2 Rd2+ 18. Kg1 Rg2+ 19. Kh1 Rxb2+ 20. Nxe4
FEN: 3rk2r/pp2p2p/2n3p1/6N1/2B1bP2/6PP/Pb5K/R1B2R2 w k - 0 17