Chess puzzles for Thursday, 22 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 26... Rae8.
Puzzle rating 907
Hint
Theme: pin, middlegame tactic
Show solution
27. Nf5+ Kh7 28. Nxh6
FEN: 4r2r/1p3pk1/p1p2bpq/4p3/6R1/1P1P1PN1/1P2Q1P1/R5K1 w - - 1 27
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 38. Bxh4.
Puzzle rating 1707
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Pillsbury’s mate, middlegame tactic
Show solution
38... Rh7+ 39. Kg4 Rxh4#
FEN: 8/1p1r4/3b1k2/p5pK/P2N3B/2P5/6b1/R2R4 b - - 0 38
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 25... Bxc1.
Puzzle rating 2355
Hint
Show solution
26. Qxf7+ Kh8 27. Rxc1
FEN: r2r2k1/3b1p1p/pq4p1/1p1pP3/3Nn3/1P2PQ1P/P5PN/1Bb2RK1 w - - 0 26