Chess puzzles for Monday, 16 November 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 35... Qc7.
Puzzle rating 992
Hint
Theme: X-ray attack, endgame tactic
Show solution
36. Rb8+ Qxb8 37. Qxb8+
FEN: 6k1/2q2p1p/4p1p1/p2nQ3/8/7P/1R3PP1/6K1 w - - 2 36
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 33... Qxd4.
Puzzle rating 1841
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, endgame tactic
Show solution
34. Bd7+ Kf8 35. Ne6#
FEN: 4k3/6Rp/3pB1p1/3p2N1/3q1P2/p6P/1p4PK/5r2 w - - 0 34
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 40. Ng4.
Puzzle rating 2219
Hint
Theme: defensive move, knight endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
40... d4 41. cxd4 cxd4 42. Nf2 a4
FEN: 2k5/8/4p3/p1ppP3/6N1/2P2P2/7K/8 b - - 1 40