Chess puzzles for Thursday, 18 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 33. g4.
Puzzle rating 900
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, back-rank mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
33... Ne2+ 34. Kh1 Rf1#
FEN: 3k1r2/R7/2p3Bp/6p1/3P2P1/2n5/6PP/6K1 b - - 0 33
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 49. Kxe1.
Puzzle rating 1895
Hint
Theme: promotion, advanced pawn, queen endgame
Show solution
49... Qb1+ 50. Ke2 Qd1+ 51. Ke3 c1=Q+ 52. Qxc1 Qxc1+
FEN: 4k3/P1Q2p2/8/1q6/8/6P1/2p2P2/4K3 b - - 0 49
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 55... Qd3+.
Puzzle rating 2221
Hint
Theme: defensive move, promotion, advanced pawn
Show solution
56. g3 Qe4 57. e8=Q
FEN: 5R2/4P1pk/3B3p/p7/1p6/3q3K/6P1/8 w - - 14 56