Chess puzzles for Friday, 15 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
White to move and win. The opponent just played 59... Bc6.
Puzzle rating 796
Hint
Theme: promotion, advanced pawn, bishop endgame
Show solution
60. h7 b3 61. h8=Q
FEN: 8/8/2b4P/6K1/1p4p1/k5P1/8/8 w - - 1 60
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 42... Kf7.
Puzzle rating 1585
Hint
Theme: pin, endgame tactic
Show solution
43. Rf1 Qxf1+ 44. Qxf1+
FEN: 8/1p3k2/p2pr2p/5q2/1PP5/1N2b3/P5QP/4R2K w - - 2 43
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 25... bxc3.
Puzzle rating 2086
Hint
Theme: pin, quiet move, exposed king
Show solution
26. Rb4 Qc7 27. Qxa6+ Kd7 28. Rb7
FEN: 2kr3r/Q4pp1/p1q3bp/3p4/3R3P/2p2P2/PPP5/1K5R w - - 0 26