Chess puzzles for Saturday, 16 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 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 13... Rb8.
Puzzle rating 912
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, epaulette mate, attacking f2/f7
Show solution
14. Bxf7+ Ke7 15. Qe6#
FEN: 1r1qkbnr/p2n1pp1/3p3p/4p3/2B1P3/1Q3P1P/PPPP2P1/R1B2RK1 w k - 5 14
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 34. Kxg2.
Puzzle rating 1456
Hint
Show solution
34... dxc4+ 35. f3 Rxd2+ 36. Rxd2 cxb3
FEN: 5k1r/1b3p2/3rp3/3p4/P1P5/1B4P1/1P1Q1PK1/3R4 b - - 0 34
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 36... Bb2.
Puzzle rating 2090
Hint
Theme: discovered check, double check, sacrifice
Show solution
37. Nf7+ Kg7 38. Qh6+ Kxf7 39. Qh7+
FEN: 8/8/6pk/2p3Np/1pP5/rq5P/1b4PK/2Q1R3 w - - 4 37