Chess puzzles for Friday, 23 July 2027
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and mate in 2
White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 21... Nxe3.
Puzzle rating 1255
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, sacrifice, middlegame tactic
Show solution
22. Rxh5+ gxh5 23. Qxh5#
FEN: r2q1r2/4b1pk/2p3p1/pp4Pp/5P2/PB1Pn3/1PP1Q3/2KR3R w - - 0 22
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 15... Bg5.
Puzzle rating 1510
Hint
Theme: kingside attack, opening tactic
Show solution
16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Bxg5
FEN: r2qr1k1/ppp2ppp/1nnp4/5Pb1/6P1/1BP5/P4P1P/RNBQR1K1 w - - 5 16
Hard: Black to move and mate in 5
Black to move and mate in 5. The opponent just played 55. Kh4.
Puzzle rating 2098
Hint
Theme: queen endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
55... Qf4+ 56. g4 g5+ 57. Kh5 Qf7+ 58. Kxg5 Qf6+ 59. Kh5 Qh6#
FEN: 2Q5/6pp/3q2p1/8/7K/1k3P1P/6P1/8 b - - 6 55