Chess puzzles for Thursday, 19 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 39... Kd7.
Puzzle rating 1213
Hint
Theme: zugzwang, pawn endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
40. Kd5 Ke7 41. Kc6
FEN: 8/3k2p1/1p1p2p1/pP4P1/P1P1KP2/8/8/8 w - - 1 40
Medium: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 36... Ne5.
Puzzle rating 1538
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, middlegame tactic
Show solution
37. Qf6 Bh6 38. Rxh6 g5 39. Qh8#
FEN: 4rrk1/pp3p2/6p1/4n3/1P1p3R/P2PbQ2/b1P5/5K2 w - - 4 37
Hard: White to move and mate in 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 6... Ke7.
Puzzle rating 2158
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, opening tactic
Show solution
7. Qxe5#
FEN: rnbq1bnr/pp1pk1p1/2p4p/4p2Q/2BPP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNB1K2R w KQ - 2 7