Chess puzzles for Saturday, 19 December 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 41... Bd4.
Puzzle rating 1237
Hint
Theme: bishop endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
42. c6 Be5 43. a6
FEN: 8/6k1/8/PpP2p1p/3b3P/6PK/8/8 w - - 1 42
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 41... Rg8+.
Puzzle rating 1511
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, attraction (decoy), promotion
Show solution
42. Qxg8+ Kxg8 43. e8=Q#
FEN: 6rk/3PP3/4Q1K1/2p2p2/3b1P1q/7P/P5P1/8 w - - 1 42
Hard: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 37. f7.
Puzzle rating 2174
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
37... Rexg2+ 38. Kf1 Rg1+ 39. Kf2 R3g2#
FEN: 8/5PR1/4p3/R5Pp/1P2k3/6rP/4r1P1/6K1 b - - 0 37