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Chess puzzles for Saturday, 21 August 2027

Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.

Easy: Black to move and win

h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8

Black to move and win. The opponent just played 17. Re1.

Puzzle rating 986

Hint

Theme: capturing the defender, middlegame tactic

Show solution

17... Nxe3 18. fxe3 Bxg5

FEN: r3k2r/3q3p/p1p1p1pb/3pPnN1/3P4/4B3/PP3PPP/2RQR1K1 b kq - 3 17

Medium: White to move and win

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move and win. The opponent just played 16... Bxb2.

Puzzle rating 1631

Hint

Theme: intermezzo (zwischenzug), capturing the defender, middlegame tactic

Show solution

17. Qxb6 axb6 18. Bxb2

FEN: r4rk1/pp2pp1p/1qbp2p1/8/4P3/4QN2/PbP2PPP/R1BR2K1 w - - 0 17

Hard: White to move and mate in 2

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move and mate in 2. The opponent just played 18... Nb6.

Puzzle rating 2291

Hint

Theme: mate in 2, clearance, sacrifice

Show solution

19. Qxc6+ bxc6 20. Ba6#

FEN: 2kr3r/pp6/1np1ppnb/5b1p/2Q4P/2NB2B1/Pq3PPN/3R1RK1 w - - 4 19