Chess puzzles for Monday, 18 October 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 23... Nc2.
Puzzle rating 1140
Hint
Theme: mate in 2, Pillsbury’s mate, kingside attack
Show solution
24. Nh6+ Kg7 25. Rf7#
FEN: r5kb/ppp2N1p/3p2p1/6B1/2P1r3/PP4P1/2n1P1KP/R4R2 w - - 2 24
Medium: White to move and mate in 3
White to move and mate in 3. The opponent just played 26... Kf6.
Puzzle rating 1793
Hint
Theme: mate in 3, exposed king, endgame tactic
Show solution
27. Qf5+ Kg7 28. Rh7+ Kg8 29. Qxf7#
FEN: 2r5/p3pp1Q/b2p1k2/3P4/1p4P1/1P2qP2/PP6/1K5R w - - 3 27
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 40. Qd2.
Puzzle rating 2206
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, defensive move, middlegame tactic
Show solution
40... Qxa8 41. Nd5+ Kb8
FEN: R1b5/2k1p1r1/5p2/1pP1pP2/4q3/4N3/1B1Q2P1/6K1 b - - 1 40