Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 16 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 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 27. a7.
Puzzle rating 931
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, discovered attack, endgame tactic
Show solution
27... Nh3+ 28. Kh1 Rxh2#
FEN: 6k1/P4ppp/8/4N3/2p5/4P1P1/1rr2n1P/R4RK1 b - - 0 27
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 10... Rg8.
Puzzle rating 1468
Hint
Theme: fork, deflection, attacking f2/f7
Show solution
11. Bxf7+ Nxf7 12. Qxg8+
FEN: rnb1k1r1/pp1pbpQp/2p4n/8/1qB1P3/2N5/PB3PPP/1R2K1NR w Kq - 1 11
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 72. f6.
Puzzle rating 2271
Hint
Theme: defensive move, endgame tactic
Show solution
72... Nxf1 73. g5+ Ke3
FEN: 8/8/5P2/2pP4/2P2kPR/6nP/3r1pK1/5B2 b - - 0 72