Chess puzzles for Wednesday, 21 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 40. Nc4.
Puzzle rating 1172
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, promotion, advanced pawn
Show solution
40... Qf1+ 41. Rxf1 exf1=Q#
FEN: 4b3/7p/3Bp3/3pP1R1/2N1k3/8/3QpqPP/4R2K b - - 3 40
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 34... Qb8+.
Puzzle rating 1703
Hint
Theme: defensive move, endgame tactic
Show solution
35. Kf3 Qb7+ 36. e4 Rc8 37. Qxf6+
FEN: 1q5k/p6p/1p2Qp2/5Pp1/3N2P1/P3P1KP/1Pr5/8 w - - 7 35
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 26... Nf6.
Puzzle rating 2387
Hint
Theme: fork, capturing the defender, sacrifice
Show solution
27. Rgxg7 Rxg7 28. Qxh6+ Rh7 29. Rf8+ Qxf8 30. Qxf8+
FEN: 2b3rk/r4Rp1/1p1q1n1p/3Pp1RQ/4P3/PB6/1PP3PP/6K1 w - - 1 27