Chess puzzles for Tuesday, 19 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 10... hxg5.
Puzzle rating 925
Hint
Theme: fork, attacking f2/f7, middlegame tactic
Show solution
11. Bxf7+ Qxf7 12. Rxf7
FEN: rnb1kbnr/5pp1/2pp4/pp2P1pq/2B1P2N/3P4/PPPQ2PP/RN3RK1 w kq - 0 11
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 17... Rhf8.
Puzzle rating 1618
Hint
Theme: queenside attack, middlegame tactic
Show solution
18. Nxd6+ Rxd6 19. Qxf8+
FEN: 2kr1r2/pp3Qpp/3b4/1Np1p1B1/6n1/3P2Pq/PPP2P2/R3R1K1 w - - 4 18
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 42. Kf3.
Puzzle rating 2402
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, endgame tactic
Show solution
42... gxf5 43. Bd5+ Kf8 44. Rf6+ Nxf6
FEN: 8/1B3k1p/p2R2p1/1p3N2/5Pn1/2P2KP1/P6r/8 b - - 2 42