Chess puzzles for Friday, 17 December 2027
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 26. Rxf3.
Puzzle rating 745
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, middlegame tactic
Show solution
26... Bxf3#
FEN: 5rk1/1b3pp1/6r1/pp2Q3/3R4/1BPP1R2/P6P/7K b - - 0 26
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 33. exd6.
Puzzle rating 1574
Hint
Theme: hanging piece, endgame tactic
Show solution
33... Rxe1+ 34. Kf2 Rf1+ 35. Ke3 Re8+
FEN: 2r1r1k1/5ppp/p2P4/P2p4/1PbQ4/2P3R1/6PP/4R1K1 b - - 0 33
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 22... Rf4.
Puzzle rating 2119
Hint
Theme: discovered attack, middlegame tactic
Show solution
23. Bxd5+ cxd5 24. Rxf4 Ne6 25. Qxb6
FEN: 4r1k1/p5pp/1qp3b1/2npP3/3Q1r2/1PN2B2/P5PP/3R1RK1 w - - 5 23