Chess puzzles for Monday, 14 December 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 37. Kf2.
Puzzle rating 1095
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, hook mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
37... Rf1#
FEN: 6k1/p4p2/1p1N2p1/3P4/7p/P3RPnP/R4KP1/2r5 b - - 2 37
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 22... Rxd1.
Puzzle rating 1487
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, back-rank mate, fork
Show solution
23. Qxf7+ Kh8 24. Qxe8#
FEN: 4r1k1/p4ppp/2p5/4p1q1/2P1p3/1P2P1P1/P4QPP/3r1RK1 w - - 0 23
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 43. Kxh6.
Puzzle rating 2196
Hint
Theme: quiet move, defensive move, endgame tactic
Show solution
43... g4 44. Kh5 Kf4
FEN: 8/8/1p1p3K/1Pb2kp1/2P5/8/4R3/8 b - - 0 43