Chess puzzles for Sunday, 17 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 17. exd4.
Puzzle rating 1210
Hint
Theme: pin, middlegame tactic
Show solution
17... Bg5 18. Kb1 Bxd2
FEN: 1r1q1rk1/p3bppp/1p2p1n1/3p4/3P4/1PNB3P/PBPQ2P1/2KR3R b - - 0 17
Medium: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 29... Nxe6.
Puzzle rating 1630
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, Pillsbury’s mate, attraction (decoy)
Show solution
30. Qxh7+ Kxh7 31. Rh3+ Qh4 32. Rxh4#
FEN: r1r4k/4qBpp/2ppn3/7Q/pP6/P4R2/6PP/6K1 w - - 0 30
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 21. Qxf6.
Puzzle rating 2117
Hint
Theme: discovered check, double check, kingside attack
Show solution
21... hxg3 22. Qxf7+ Kd8 23. Nf3 gxh2+
FEN: r3kbr1/pp3p2/3p1Q2/2p5/2P1P2p/3P2Pq/PP1N3P/R4RK1 b q - 0 21