Chess puzzles for Sunday, 31 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
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 24... Bd7.
Puzzle rating 994
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, X-ray attack, sacrifice
Show solution
25. Re8+ Bxe8 26. Qxe8#
FEN: 6k1/p1pb1ppp/6r1/2p5/Q1Pq1P2/NP3P2/P6P/4R2K w - - 1 25
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 18... Nf4.
Puzzle rating 1703
Hint
Theme: interference, middlegame tactic
Show solution
19. Be5 Qc6 20. Bxf4
FEN: r4rk1/p1q1bppp/4p3/2p5/2P2n2/5PN1/PBQ2P1P/3RR1K1 w - - 1 19
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 18... Qxf5.
Puzzle rating 2359
Hint
Theme: middlegame tactic
Show solution
19. g4 Qf6 20. Rxd7
FEN: r4rk1/pR1n1ppp/2p5/2b2q2/2B5/8/3BQPPP/5RK1 w - - 0 19