Chess puzzles for Sunday, 21 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 10. Qd2.
Puzzle rating 1097
Hint
Theme: pin, middlegame tactic
Show solution
10... Bb4 11. a3 Bxd2+
FEN: r4rk1/pp1n1ppp/2pbpn2/q2p1b2/2PP4/1P2PN2/PB1QBPPP/R3KN1R b KQ - 4 10
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 36. Rxb8.
Puzzle rating 1565
Hint
Theme: promotion, advanced pawn, endgame tactic
Show solution
36... Qxe6 37. Rxd8+ Bxd8 38. Rxe6 b1=Q+
FEN: 1R1r3k/6pp/4Qb2/3q4/8/6P1/1p3P1P/4R1K1 b - - 0 36
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 29. Rd1.
Puzzle rating 2425
Hint
Theme: pin, sacrifice, middlegame tactic
Show solution
29... Rxg2 30. Rxg2 Rxg2 31. Qxg2 Bh3 32. Qxh3+ Qxh3+
FEN: 2k3r1/p4p2/1pp1b2p/8/2P1Ppr1/1P3Q2/P3N1Bq/3R1KR1 b - - 7 29