Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 14. Ra3.
Puzzle rating 717
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, middlegame tactic
Show solution
14... Bh4#
FEN: r3k1nr/1p2bppp/p3p3/2p1P3/P4P2/R1Nq1P2/1P1P3P/2BQK2R b Kkq - 2 14
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 36. g5.
Puzzle rating 1677
Hint
Theme: defensive move, endgame tactic
Show solution
36... hxg5 37. Kg4 Bf6
FEN: 8/4k3/3pp2p/1p2b1PN/3pP2p/pP1P1K1P/P1P5/8 b - - 0 36
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 28. Bg5.
Puzzle rating 2387
Hint
Theme: skewer, hanging piece, defensive move
Show solution
28... Rxh1+ 29. Kg2 Rxa1 30. Bxe7 Nxe7 31. Qxe7+ Kc8
FEN: 6rr/ppk1nQ2/1q2p1n1/2NpP1B1/1P1P2P1/P7/5P2/R4K1R b - - 2 28