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Chess puzzles for Monday, 19 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

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 16... Nf4.

Puzzle rating 1071

Hint

Theme: mate in 2, clearance, sacrifice

Show solution

17. Nf6+ Qxf6 18. Qh7#

FEN: r2q1rk1/ppp2ppN/8/8/3p1n2/2pQ3R/P1P2PPP/R5K1 w - - 1 17

Medium: White to move and win

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move and win. The opponent just played 41... h6.

Puzzle rating 1652

Hint

Theme: zugzwang, pawn endgame, endgame tactic

Show solution

42. d4 exd4 43. Kxd4

FEN: 8/8/3k2pp/1p2p3/4K1PP/P2P4/8/8 w - - 0 42

Hard: Black to move and win

h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8

Black to move and win. The opponent just played 43. Rxg5.

Puzzle rating 2394

Hint

Theme: promotion, advanced pawn, endgame tactic

Show solution

43... c2 44. Rbg7 c1=Q 45. Rg8 Qxg5 46. Rxg5 Kxg5

FEN: 8/1R6/3p3k/2b1n1Rp/1p2P3/2p4K/1P2B2P/8 b - - 0 43