Chess puzzles for Saturday, 26 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 49... Rh3.
Puzzle rating 741
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, Arabian mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
50. Rg1#
FEN: 8/pp4R1/3p4/4p3/1PP5/3K1N1r/8/4b2k w - - 7 50
Medium: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 26. Qg5.
Puzzle rating 1776
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, Pillsbury’s mate, attraction (decoy)
Show solution
26... Qxf1+ 27. Kxf1 Bh3+ 28. Kg1 Re1#
FEN: r1b1r1k1/pp3p2/6n1/3p2Q1/3B4/2P3Pq/5P1P/RN3RK1 b - - 2 26
Hard: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 43. Kf1.
Puzzle rating 2041
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
43... Rbf2+ 44. Ke1 Rg1#
FEN: 8/8/3R4/5k1p/1PPR4/P3P1pP/1r4r1/5K2 b - - 1 43