Chess puzzles for Sunday, 21 March 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 50. Bd5.
Puzzle rating 731
Hint
Theme: deflection, endgame tactic
Show solution
50... Nf6+ 51. Ke3 Nxd5+
FEN: 4n3/6p1/3k4/2pB1Pp1/2P1K1P1/8/6P1/8 b - - 5 50
Medium: Black to move and mate in 3
Black to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 35. Be3.
Puzzle rating 1828
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, Opera mate, attraction (decoy)
Show solution
35... Rxf3+ 36. Kxf3 Bxd5+ 37. Kg3 Rg2#
FEN: 6k1/pb3p1p/8/3P2p1/6P1/4BBKP/P1r2r2/R6R b - - 4 35
Hard: White to move and mate in 5
White to move and mate in 5. The opponent just played 19... Bf6.
Puzzle rating 2220
Hint
Theme: Pillsbury’s mate, discovered check, double check
Show solution
20. Qxg7+ Bxg7 21. Rxg7+ Kh8 22. Rg8+ Kxg8 23. Rg1+ Qg5 24. Rxg5#
FEN: 3r1rk1/pbp1qppp/1p2pb2/8/2PB2Q1/5P1N/PP2KP1P/3R2R1 w - - 7 20