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Chess puzzles for Saturday, 2 January 2027

Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.

Easy: White to move and win

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move and win. The opponent just played 53... Ke6.

Puzzle rating 1011

Hint

Theme: discovered attack, discovered check, endgame tactic

Show solution

54. c5+ Kd7 55. cxb6

FEN: r7/r7/Pp2k3/4p2p/2PpPp1P/1B3Ppb/R7/R5K1 w - - 3 54

Medium: Black to move and mate in 3

h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8

Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 23. Rxe7.

Puzzle rating 1675

Hint

Theme: mate in 3, pin, attraction (decoy)

Show solution

23... Rh1+ 24. Kxh1 Qh3+ 25. Kg1 Qxg2#

FEN: 6k1/pb1qRpbp/6p1/2B5/1PQ5/7r/P4PP1/5RK1 b - - 0 23

Hard: White to move and mate in 3

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 27... Kxf5.

Puzzle rating 2427

Hint

Theme: mate in 3, pin, sacrifice

Show solution

28. Rd5+ Bxd5 29. Qf3+ Ke5 30. Qf6#

FEN: r4r2/p4p2/1p5R/2p2kp1/2b1p3/2b1P1P1/q1B1QPP1/3R1K2 w - - 0 28