Chess puzzles for Monday, 8 February 2027
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 27. Qg3.
Puzzle rating 757
Hint
Theme: fork, middlegame tactic
Show solution
27... Ne2+ 28. Kh2 Nxg3
FEN: r5k1/1b3q1p/2p1prp1/1p4R1/p2P1n1P/P1P3Q1/3B1PP1/1B3RK1 b - - 2 27
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 29. Rh2.
Puzzle rating 1536
Hint
Show solution
29... Bxg3 30. Rxc8 Bxh2+
FEN: 2r1r1k1/p1b2pp1/8/8/3Pp1q1/1Q2P1P1/P2N1P1R/2R3K1 b - - 4 29
Hard: White to move and mate in 4
White to move and mate in 4. The opponent just played 41... Kh6.
Puzzle rating 2272
Hint
Theme: mate in 4, attraction (decoy), endgame tactic
Show solution
42. g5+ Kxg5 43. Qe5+ Rf5 44. h4+ Kh6 45. Qh8#
FEN: 8/1pQ5/4p1pk/p7/4P1P1/1nP3K1/1P5P/3q1r2 w - - 1 42