Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 5 January 2027
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 45... Ke5.
Puzzle rating 1210
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
46. R1d5#
FEN: 8/p3r3/1p1R3p/4k1pK/2p1r3/6P1/7P/3R4 w - - 2 46
Medium: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 20. Qb5.
Puzzle rating 1686
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, Opera mate, attraction (decoy)
Show solution
20... Qxh2+ 21. Kxh2 Rh6+ 22. Kg1 Rh1#
FEN: r5k1/p4ppp/2r5/BQ1b3q/8/2P3P1/P3PP1P/R4RK1 b - - 4 20
Hard: White to move and mate in 4
White to move and mate in 4. The opponent just played 26... Bxc2.
Puzzle rating 2019
Hint
Theme: mate in 4, sacrifice, kingside attack
Show solution
27. Bf8 h5 28. Qxh5+ gxh5 29. Rxh5+ Bh7 30. Rxh7#
FEN: 2r1q1rk/1p2bp1p/p3p1pB/3nP1N1/3P3Q/7R/2b2PPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 27