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Chess puzzles for Friday, 22 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

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 20... Nf4.

Puzzle rating 941

Hint

Theme: mate in 2, clearance, sacrifice

Show solution

21. Nf6+ gxf6 22. Qh7#

FEN: 2rq1rk1/1b3pp1/p3p2p/1p2P3/1b1PNn2/3Q1N2/PP4PP/1B1R1R1K w - - 6 21

Medium: White to move and win

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move and win. The opponent just played 22... Ndf6.

Puzzle rating 1847

Hint

Theme: discovered attack, deflection, sacrifice

Show solution

23. Qxg7+ Nxg7 24. Bxf6

FEN: r4r1k/5ppP/1qpb1n2/3p2Qn/3P3B/1p1P1P2/1P2N3/1NK3RR w - - 2 23

Hard: Black to move and win

h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8

Black to move and win. The opponent just played 40. Kf3.

Puzzle rating 2171

Hint

Theme: defensive move, zugzwang, pawn endgame

Show solution

40... Kf5 41. Kg3 g5 42. fxg5 Kxg5 43. Kf3 Kf5 44. Ke3 Ke5 45. Kd3 Kf4

FEN: 8/1p6/4k1p1/p1p5/P1P2P2/1P3K2/8/8 b - - 2 40