Chess puzzles for Sunday, 18 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 40... Kf8.
Puzzle rating 1262
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, middlegame tactic
Show solution
41. Qd6+ Ke8 42. Qe7#
FEN: 3r1k2/p2n3p/1p2Bpp1/2r2N2/4q3/6QP/P5P1/5R1K w - - 2 41
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 31. Kf2.
Puzzle rating 1709
Hint
Theme: interference, endgame tactic
Show solution
31... Qb2+ 32. Ke3 Qxc3+
FEN: 8/pq4k1/3R1Rp1/2p3Pr/4P3/2P3Q1/5KP1/r7 b - - 4 31
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 41... Ke7.
Puzzle rating 2640
Hint
Theme: sacrifice, exposed king, advanced pawn
Show solution
42. Ke5 Rxf4 43. Rf7+ Rxf7 44. exf7 g4 45. Kf4 Kxf7 46. a5 bxa5 47. bxa5
FEN: 8/4k3/1pp1PR1p/3p2p1/PP1K1P1r/8/8/8 w - - 1 42