Chess puzzles for Friday, 12 February 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 21... Rxc7.
Puzzle rating 718
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, pin, queenside attack
Show solution
22. Re8+ Nd8 23. Rxd8#
FEN: 1k6/ppr2p2/2n3rp/2qb4/2p5/2P3B1/PPP2NPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 22
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 27... Nxe4.
Puzzle rating 1544
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Opera mate, sacrifice
Show solution
28. Rh8+ Bxh8 29. Rxh8#
FEN: 3r2k1/5pb1/p3p1p1/1pprB3/4nP1R/P1P5/1PK2P2/7R w - - 0 28
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 19. Bxh3.
Puzzle rating 2202
Hint
Theme: capturing the defender, advanced pawn, middlegame tactic
Show solution
19... dxc2 20. Bxd7 Bxb2
FEN: r4rk1/pp1q1pp1/8/2p1b2p/2P1PP2/1P1p2PB/PBQ4P/R3R1K1 b - - 0 19