Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 30 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 48. Re5.
Puzzle rating 947
Hint
Theme: promotion, advanced pawn, endgame tactic
Show solution
48... h2 49. Rxe4 h1=Q+
FEN: 8/6pk/8/4R3/1B2n1b1/P3P2p/8/4K3 b - - 1 48
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 8. e5.
Puzzle rating 1666
Hint
Theme: pin, opening tactic
Show solution
8... Bb4 9. Bxc6 Bxc3+
FEN: r2qkb1r/pppb1ppp/2n2n2/1B1pP1B1/8/2Q2N2/PPP2PPP/RN2K2R b KQkq - 0 8
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 57... Bd6.
Puzzle rating 2169
Hint
Theme: bishop endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
58. Bb2+ Kd3 59. h6
FEN: 8/8/2pb2K1/7P/3k4/1p4P1/8/2B5 w - - 1 58