Chess puzzles for Monday, 21 December 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 20. Ne5.
Puzzle rating 983
Hint
Theme: middlegame tactic
Show solution
20... Bxe5 21. Bxe5 Qxe5
FEN: r4rk1/pn1bppbp/1p1q2p1/3PN3/2PB4/8/P3BPPP/2RQ1RK1 b - - 7 20
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 28... cxb2+.
Puzzle rating 1699
Hint
Theme: pin, skewer, defensive move
Show solution
29. Kb1 Rf6 30. Rh8+ Kf7 31. Rxa8
FEN: r5k1/p3qrp1/4p2R/3p4/3PpP2/6Q1/Pp4P1/2K4R w - - 0 29
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 18. exd4.
Puzzle rating 2201
Hint
Theme: kingside attack, opening tactic
Show solution
18... Bxh2+ 19. Nxh2 Rxf1+ 20. Nxf1 Qxd5
FEN: r1b2r1k/pp1q3p/2nb2p1/3Q4/2pP4/2P2N2/PPB3PP/R1B2RK1 b - - 0 18