Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 12 January 2027
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 32. Nxe6+.
Puzzle rating 1132
Hint
Theme: endgame tactic
Show solution
32... Nxe6 33. exf6+ Kxf6
FEN: R3b3/4r1k1/2p1Np1p/p1n1P1p1/p1B5/2P2P1P/2P3P1/6K1 b - - 0 32
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 23... Bxf3.
Puzzle rating 1469
Hint
Theme: fork, skewer, middlegame tactic
Show solution
24. Rxa8+ Bxa8 25. Qb8+ Ke7 26. Qxh8
FEN: r3k2r/5ppp/4p3/2q5/8/1Q2Pb2/5PPP/RR4K1 w kq - 0 24
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 24. Qf6.
Puzzle rating 2349
Hint
Show solution
24... Rxe4 25. Qxh6 Rxg4+ 26. Kh1 Rxg7
FEN: 2b1r1k1/2q2pP1/p2b1Q1p/1p1P4/P1p1B1P1/1n6/1P5P/R1B2RK1 b - - 4 24