Chess puzzles for Friday, 16 July 2027
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 47... Bc5.
Puzzle rating 720
Hint
Theme: pin, endgame tactic
Show solution
48. Bxc4 Qxc4+ 49. Kxc4
FEN: 6k1/7p/6p1/2bq1P2/1pnB4/1B1K3P/PP6/8 w - - 5 48
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 35. Ne6.
Puzzle rating 1619
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Pillsbury’s mate, endgame tactic
Show solution
35... Re2+ 36. Kd1 Rf1#
FEN: 4R3/5rpk/p3N2p/3Q4/8/3b3P/PP3r2/4K3 b - - 7 35
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 36. a5.
Puzzle rating 2385
Hint
Theme: knight endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
36... Kc4 37. Nc1 d3 38. fxe4 fxe4
FEN: 8/p7/1p5p/P2k1p2/1P1ppp2/1N3P2/3K2PP/8 b - - 0 36