Chess puzzles for Thursday, 14 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 28. Ra7.
Puzzle rating 1216
Hint
Theme: quiet move, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
28... h4 29. Rxa6 h3
FEN: 6k1/R4p2/p1p3r1/7p/8/2P5/PP3P2/5K2 b - - 1 28
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 16... Bc6.
Puzzle rating 1416
Hint
Theme: middlegame tactic
Show solution
17. Rxc6 dxc6 18. Rxd8
FEN: r2q1rk1/3pbppp/n1b1p3/p3P3/Np6/1B2QN2/PP3PPP/2RR2K1 w - - 1 17
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 19... Bxg5.
Puzzle rating 2564
Hint
Theme: discovered attack, discovered check, clearance
Show solution
20. Bxg5 hxg5 21. Qh3 Kg7 22. Qh6+ Kf6 23. g7+
FEN: r4rk1/ppq2p2/2n1p1Pp/3p2b1/3P2P1/2PQB3/PP3P2/2R1K2R w K - 0 20