Chess puzzles for Sunday, 26 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 23. Qxg3.
Puzzle rating 1104
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, discovered check, double check
Show solution
23... hxg3#
FEN: 2k3rr/1ppb1p2/1p1p4/8/2N1PR1p/2PP2Q1/PP4PK/6R1 b - - 0 23
Medium: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 74... Kf8.
Puzzle rating 1830
Hint
Theme: skewer, queen endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
75. Qh8+ Ke7 76. Qxc8 c1=Q 77. Qxc1
FEN: 2q2k2/8/8/4Q3/3P4/3K4/2p5/8 w - - 2 75
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 41... Ke7.
Puzzle rating 2380
Hint
Theme: interference, exposed king, endgame tactic
Show solution
42. Re1+ Kd6 43. Rd1+ Kc7 44. Qd7+ Kb8 45. Qxe8+
FEN: q3r3/p3k2p/1p6/2b2Q2/8/5PP1/P4r1P/1R5K w - - 12 42