Chess puzzles for Monday, 12 October 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 31... Qxd3.
Puzzle rating 1163
Hint
Theme: deflection, endgame tactic
Show solution
32. Rf8+ Rxf8 33. Qxd3
FEN: 3r2k1/5R2/p3p1p1/P7/1p6/3q3P/6P1/5Q1K w - - 0 32
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 48. b5.
Puzzle rating 1526
Hint
Theme: queen endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
48... Qc5+ 49. Qxc5 bxc5 50. Ke4 Kb6
FEN: 8/pk6/1p6/1P3K2/2Q5/4q3/P7/8 b - - 0 48
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 12... Nxd4.
Puzzle rating 2240
Hint
Theme: middlegame tactic
Show solution
13. Nxd4 Bxd4 14. Nxd5
FEN: r4rk1/pp2ppbp/6p1/q2p1b2/3nnB2/PQN2NP1/1P2PPBP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 13