Chess puzzles for Thursday, 8 July 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 56. b7.
Puzzle rating 938
Hint
Theme: knight endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
56... Nc5+ 57. Kb5 Nxb7
FEN: 8/1P6/4k3/6p1/K1N1p1Pp/3n3P/8/8 b - - 0 56
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 33... Qc5.
Puzzle rating 1894
Hint
Theme: deflection, endgame tactic
Show solution
34. Rd8+ Rxd8 35. Qxc5
FEN: 2r4k/1p1R3p/p4prP/2q2Qp1/5p2/8/PPP5/2K4R w - - 4 34
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 33. Ne2.
Puzzle rating 2156
Hint
Theme: defensive move, middlegame tactic
Show solution
33... dxe3 34. Qh7+ Nxh7 35. Rxd8+ Nf8
FEN: 3r1n1k/pb3qp1/1p5p/8/3p4/3QP1P1/PP2NP1P/1B1R2K1 b - - 1 33