Chess puzzles for Thursday, 30 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 38. Kg2.
Puzzle rating 903
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, endgame tactic
Show solution
38... Qh3#
FEN: 6k1/5pb1/7p/1Q1p1Rp1/p2p2P1/P2Pq3/1PP2RK1/7r b - - 6 38
Medium: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 12. Qd4.
Puzzle rating 1642
Hint
Theme: discovered attack, sacrifice, kingside attack
Show solution
12... Nf3+ 13. gxf3 Bxh2+ 14. Kxh2 Qxd4
FEN: r1bq1rk1/pp3ppp/2pb4/4n3/2BQ4/2NP4/PPP2PPP/R1B1R1K1 b - - 3 12
Hard: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 44... Kd6.
Puzzle rating 2197
Hint
Theme: knight endgame, endgame tactic
Show solution
45. Nc6 Kd7 46. Kh5 Nd6 47. Kg6
FEN: 2n5/8/1p1k1p2/pP1pNP2/P2P2K1/8/8/8 w - - 1 45