Chess puzzles for Sunday, 10 January 2027
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 30. Qa6.
Puzzle rating 938
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, endgame tactic
Show solution
30... Qxf2+ 31. Kh2 Qxg2#
FEN: 2r5/5qpk/Q1p4p/3p4/3Pp3/4P2P/Pr3PP1/R3R1K1 b - - 1 30
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 46. Rxe6.
Puzzle rating 1863
Hint
Theme: defensive move, advanced pawn, rook endgame
Show solution
46... f3 47. Rf6 f2 48. Kb2 Ka5 49. Rf4 Kxa4 50. Rf8 Kb5
FEN: 8/8/kp2R3/3p4/P2P1p2/K1P5/8/5r2 b - - 0 46
Hard: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 50. Kg3.
Puzzle rating 2469
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, deflection, sacrifice
Show solution
50... Nh5+ 51. Kg4 Qxg2+ 52. Kxh5 Qg6#
FEN: 2Q2Q2/6nk/7p/p3P3/1p3P2/5nKP/P3q1P1/8 b - - 2 50