Chess puzzles for Monday, 7 December 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 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 48... Nxf3.
Puzzle rating 916
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, hanging piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
49. Qxh8#
FEN: 2k4r/4R3/1p2p3/1Pp5/q4b2/3b1n2/1Q5p/3R3K w - - 0 49
Medium: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 26. Rxd5.
Puzzle rating 1663
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
26... Rdc6#
FEN: 8/2K1kppp/pr1r4/3Rp3/1P6/P7/2P2PPP/7R b - - 0 26
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 50. Bd4.
Puzzle rating 2132
Hint
Theme: bishop endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
50... Kd5 51. Bf6 b3
FEN: 8/8/4k3/p5p1/Pp1B4/8/6K1/8 b - - 4 50