Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 7 July 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 25. Ne1.
Puzzle rating 720
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, back-rank mate, X-ray attack
Show solution
25... Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 Rxe1#
FEN: 4r1k1/p4ppp/8/2pR4/4R3/P7/5PPP/2r1N1K1 b - - 2 25
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 18. Qh6.
Puzzle rating 1805
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, discovered check, double check
Show solution
18... Ng3+ 19. Kg1 Qh1#
FEN: r4rk1/pqp2pB1/1p1b3Q/8/2BPn3/8/PP3P1P/4RR1K b - - 1 18
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 43... Qh6.
Puzzle rating 2450
Hint
Theme: defensive move, queen endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
44. Qxh6+ Kxh6 45. a5
FEN: 8/pp4k1/2p4q/2Pp4/P4P1Q/8/6PK/8 w - - 1 44