Chess puzzles for Saturday, 13 March 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 1
White to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 12... Qd8.
Puzzle rating 1179
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, pin, opening tactic
Show solution
13. Na7#
FEN: 2kq1b1r/1p1r1ppp/p1n1pn2/1N1p1b2/1P1P1B2/P3P3/3N1PPP/2RQKB1R w K - 1 13
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 36. Rxe3.
Puzzle rating 1839
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, back-rank mate, sacrifice
Show solution
36... Rf1+ 37. Bxf1 Rd1#
FEN: 3r1k2/8/2b5/R3p3/1p2P3/3BR3/PPP2r2/1K6 b - - 0 36
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 37. Nd5.
Puzzle rating 2558
Hint
Theme: sacrifice, advanced pawn, knight endgame
Show solution
37... Nxc4 38. Ne3 a3 39. Nxc4 a2
FEN: 8/5k1p/3p4/1P1N4/p1P1pP2/6PP/1n3K2/8 b - - 1 37