Chess puzzles for Monday, 15 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 38. a5.
Puzzle rating 1256
Hint
Theme: deflection, knight endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
38... d3+ 39. Kd2 Kxb3
FEN: 8/8/1p6/P3np1p/2kp2p1/1N4P1/1PK2PP1/8 b - - 0 38
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 12. Nh4.
Puzzle rating 1557
Hint
Theme: quiet move, middlegame tactic
Show solution
12... Qf2+ 13. Kh3 e5 14. Nf5 Bxf5
FEN: rnb4B/ppp2k1p/4pp2/3p1q2/6nN/1PN3P1/P1PPP1KP/R2Q1B1R b - - 1 12
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 19. Kxa2.
Puzzle rating 2359
Hint
Theme: discovered check, double check, defensive move
Show solution
19... axb3+ 20. Kxb3 c5
FEN: r2qkbnr/1pp5/3p1p2/4p3/p3P1PN/1P1PBQ2/K1P3B1/3R3R b kq - 0 19