White to Play

Chess Puzzles / July 20, 2026

This is a little variation on the Lucena mating theme.

Black to Play

Chess Puzzles / July 17, 2026

From a game against an amateur won by Capablanca. It’s a theme that has shown up several times in chess games. Not a lot, but worth knowing.

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / July 15, 2026

A young, pre-world champion Alexander Alekhine was playing 20 at once in 1913 and came upon this position. He announced mate in ten. If you remember Rule Number One, often state here, you will be off to a good start, and ...Read More

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / July 09, 2026

This one’s for novices. You should be able to tell it came out of a King’s Gambit Accepted because of the missing f-pawn. Can you tell how to continue the game from here?

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / July 08, 2026

Hope you had a great 4th of July! By solving this problem, you can tell your friends you once solved a mate in 27!

White to Play

Chess Puzzles / July 03, 2026

This is a prime example of the poor pawn’s disadvantage of only being able to move backwards. Mate in Four. Enjoy Independence Day!