Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 17 February 2027
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 42. Nd1.
Puzzle rating 1203
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, sacrifice, endgame tactic
Show solution
42... Rxd1+ 43. Rxd1 Qb2#
FEN: 2kr4/5p1p/6pP/1qp2pP1/8/p1P1Q3/P7/K2NR3 b - - 1 42
Medium: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 25... Nxe5.
Puzzle rating 1662
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Opera mate, sacrifice
Show solution
26. Qd8+ Bxd8 27. Rxd8#
FEN: r1b1k1r1/pp2b3/2p1q3/4n1Bp/4P3/2NQ4/PPP5/1K1R1R2 w q - 0 26
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 15... g6.
Puzzle rating 2464
Hint
Theme: kingside attack, middlegame tactic
Show solution
16. Nxg6 hxg6 17. Qxg6+ Kh8 18. Qh5+ Kg7 19. gxf5
FEN: r1bq1rk1/ppp1b2p/4p1p1/3pNn1Q/5PP1/2NB4/PPP4P/R4RK1 w - - 0 16