Chess puzzles for Thursday, 8 October 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 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 29. Be7.
Puzzle rating 919
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Pillsbury’s mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
29... Rh6+ 30. Bh4 Rxh4#
FEN: 5rk1/1p2Bp2/p5r1/2p5/P1Qb4/1P1P4/6P1/5R1K b - - 8 29
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 13... Bxf3.
Puzzle rating 1521
Hint
Show solution
14. exf6+ exf6 15. gxf3
FEN: rn3r2/p1q1ppkp/1p1p1np1/4P3/3P4/3B1b1P/P1PQ1PP1/RN3RK1 w - - 0 14
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 29... Rd2.
Puzzle rating 2058
Hint
Theme: pin, queenside attack, endgame tactic
Show solution
30. Nc6+ Ka8 31. Qf8+ Qb8 32. Nxb8
FEN: 1k6/1pq2p2/p4p1p/3P1B2/1Q1N1bP1/7P/PP1r1PK1/8 w - - 3 30