Chess puzzles for Thursday, 21 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 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 9... Bxd1.
Puzzle rating 1103
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, attacking f2/f7, middlegame tactic
Show solution
10. Bxf7#
FEN: r2qkb1r/1p2pppp/p2p1n2/2p1N3/P1B1P3/3P3P/1PPN1PP1/R1Bb1RK1 w kq - 0 10
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 32. R1e3.
Puzzle rating 1649
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Opera mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
32... Rh1+ 33. Kf2 Rf1#
FEN: 7r/pp5r/2p5/k1P1R3/3N4/PP1bR1P1/6P1/6K1 b - - 2 32
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 25. Rde1.
Puzzle rating 2044
Hint
Theme: clearance, middlegame tactic
Show solution
25... Rxe5 26. Qxe5 Re8
FEN: 3rr3/2q3kp/1ppn1np1/p3R1Q1/2P5/1PN3P1/P5BP/4R1K1 b - - 2 25