Chess puzzles for Thursday, 22 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 24. Qxe7.
Puzzle rating 1271
Hint
Theme: intermezzo (zwischenzug), queen and rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
24... Rxd1+ 25. Kxd1 Rxe7
FEN: 3r2k1/r3Qpp1/2p4p/p3P3/2p4P/8/PPP2PP1/2KR4 b - - 0 24
Medium: Black to move and mate in 2
Black to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 36. Kxg1.
Puzzle rating 1535
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, discovered check, double check
Show solution
36... Nf3+ 37. Kf1 Rg1#
FEN: 6rk/8/p2p1p2/5Pnp/1p2P3/1P1P3r/1PP1QR1N/6K1 b - - 0 36
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 55... Rh1.
Puzzle rating 2161
Hint
Theme: advanced pawn, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
56. Rc8+ Kb4 57. f7
FEN: 1R6/7p/5P2/1pk1K3/8/8/8/7r w - - 1 56