Chess puzzles for Friday, 2 April 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 36. gxh4.
Puzzle rating 1117
Hint
Theme: defensive move, zugzwang, pawn endgame
Show solution
36... gxh4 37. Kf3 Kf5
FEN: 8/8/p7/2p1k1p1/1p1p3P/1P1P3P/1PP1K3/8 b - - 0 36
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 46. Kb2.
Puzzle rating 1669
Hint
Theme: deflection, exposed king, advanced pawn
Show solution
46... a3+ 47. Kb1 a2+ 48. Kxa2 Rxc1
FEN: 8/8/7p/3k2p1/pp1P4/2r2N1P/1K4P1/2R5 b - - 3 46
Hard: Black to move and mate in 5
Black to move and mate in 5. The opponent just played 22. exd6.
Puzzle rating 2568
Hint
Theme: attraction (decoy), quiet move, kingside attack
Show solution
22... Qh7 23. f4 Qh1+ 24. Kf2 g3+ 25. Kxg3 Qh4+ 26. Kf3 g4#
FEN: r1b2k1r/2q5/p1pPp3/5pp1/6p1/3BB3/PP2QPP1/2RR2K1 b - - 0 22