Chess puzzles for Thursday, 16 December 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 47. Ke3.
Puzzle rating 867
Hint
Theme: interference, rook endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
47... Rc3+ 48. Ke2 Rxc2+
FEN: 8/1p6/2r5/4k3/P3p3/1P2K3/2P2R2/8 b - - 2 47
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 14. Bxb2.
Puzzle rating 1588
Hint
Theme: skewer, middlegame tactic
Show solution
14... Rb8 15. Qxa7 Rxb2
FEN: r2q1rk1/pQ1nppNp/5np1/8/2p5/6P1/PB2PPBP/R4RK1 b - - 0 14
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 29. Qg8.
Puzzle rating 2598
Hint
Theme: trapped piece, sacrifice, middlegame tactic
Show solution
29... Ng3+ 30. hxg3 Qh6+ 31. Kg1 Be6 32. Qxf8 Qxf8
FEN: 5rQ1/1kp2P2/8/pp1p3n/1n1P2b1/1B2q3/PP4PP/R4R1K b - - 1 29