Chess puzzles for Saturday, 17 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 26... Rg8.
Puzzle rating 1257
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, endgame tactic
Show solution
27. Nxf7+ Kh7 28. Nf6#
FEN: rn4rk/pp3p2/4p2p/4N2N/3p4/P7/1PP5/2K3R1 w - - 4 27
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 15. gxh3.
Puzzle rating 1555
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, kingside attack, opening tactic
Show solution
15... Qg5+ 16. Kf1 Qg2#
FEN: r2q1rk1/ppp2pp1/3b4/7p/2B2n2/1QPP3P/PP1N1P2/R1B1R1K1 b - - 0 15
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 48. Nf2+.
Puzzle rating 2548
Hint
Theme: defensive move, advanced pawn, knight endgame
Show solution
48... Kd4 49. Kg4 c2
FEN: 8/8/8/6p1/8/2pk2KP/5N2/8 b - - 1 48