Chess puzzles for Thursday, 26 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
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 28. Rxa4.
Puzzle rating 783
Hint
Theme: attraction (decoy), promotion, queenside attack
Show solution
28... Bxc2+ 29. Kxc2 b1=Q+
FEN: 1r4k1/2p2pb1/3p2pp/5b2/R1B2P2/7P/1pP3P1/1K2B1NR b - - 0 28
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 15. Qh5.
Puzzle rating 1668
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, middlegame tactic
Show solution
15... Bg4 16. Bxe5 Bxh5
FEN: 1rb1k2r/2q1bppp/p1pp4/4n2Q/4PB2/1PNB4/P1P3PP/R4R1K b k - 1 15
Hard: White to move and mate in 4
White to move and mate in 4. The opponent just played 32... Kg4.
Puzzle rating 2482
Hint
Theme: mate in 4, endgame tactic
Show solution
33. Rh4+ Kg5 34. f4+ exf4 35. exf4+ Kg6 36. R4h6#
FEN: 5r2/pp2b2R/2p2r2/3ppb1R/6k1/2P1P3/PP1K1PP1/8 w - - 4 33