Chess puzzles for Monday, 1 March 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 40. Kf6.
Puzzle rating 1131
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
40... Rf8+ 41. Rf7 Rxf7#
FEN: 3r2k1/p3R2p/3P1Kp1/2P2pP1/5P2/8/4r2P/2R5 b - - 4 40
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 21... Rc8.
Puzzle rating 1539
Hint
Theme: clearance, endgame tactic
Show solution
22. Rxc8+ Bxc8 23. Rc1
FEN: 2r3k1/pp1b1ppp/3p4/3PpPP1/3pP3/1P4P1/P3r1B1/2R2RK1 w - - 2 22
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 25. Nc3.
Puzzle rating 2356
Hint
Theme: sacrifice, quiet move, middlegame tactic
Show solution
25... Ng3+ 26. hxg3 Qg7 27. Qg1 Bxg1
FEN: 4rk2/p1q4p/2p3p1/3p1n2/3b1P2/1RN5/PPP3PP/R4Q1K b - - 3 25