Chess puzzles for Thursday, 15 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 18... fxe6.
Puzzle rating 1090
Hint
Theme: fork, middlegame tactic
Show solution
19. Qxe6+ Kh8 20. Qxe4
FEN: r2r2k1/3n2pp/p2Qp3/6q1/4b3/8/PPP1N1PP/1K1R3R w - - 0 19
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 20... Nf8.
Puzzle rating 1577
Hint
Theme: kingside attack, middlegame tactic
Show solution
21. Rg4+ Ng6 22. fxg6 fxg6 23. Rxg6+ hxg6 24. Qxg6+
FEN: r2qrnk1/1bp2p1p/1p1p1p2/3N1P1Q/4PR2/1P6/PP4PP/R5K1 w - - 5 21
Hard: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 35. Rxh6.
Puzzle rating 2091
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, Pillsbury’s mate, clearance
Show solution
35... Ne4+ 36. fxe4 Bf2+ 37. Kh3 Rxh6#
FEN: 3k1r2/2p5/3pBr1R/p1bP2p1/Pp4P1/1P3PK1/3B1nP1/7R b - - 0 35