Chess puzzles for Monday, 18 January 2027
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 44. Rc6.
Puzzle rating 1048
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, epaulette mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
44... Qd5#
FEN: 8/8/2R1p1kp/p3K1p1/4N3/P2q4/6R1/8 b - - 3 44
Medium: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 14. Nf7.
Puzzle rating 1460
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, Pillsbury’s mate, middlegame tactic
Show solution
14... Rd4#
FEN: 2kr4/p1p2Npp/2p5/4p1q1/4K1b1/8/PPPP2PP/RNB1QR2 b - - 3 14
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 24. Rxh3.
Puzzle rating 2312
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, defensive move, middlegame tactic
Show solution
24... Qxh3 25. Qd6+ Ke8 26. Qxc6+ Kf7
FEN: r2k1r2/p2q4/2p5/2p1Q3/3p4/2PP3R/PP6/R1B3K1 b - - 0 24