Chess Puzzles

Play and learn how the pros handle complex chess positions. These interactive chess puzzles help you to get better at chess, improve your concentration and learn some new tricks. Most of the positions occurred during famous games between Grandmasters and demonstrate tactical ideas encountered in actual play – no computer analysis here. Careful study of these positions will help you improve your skill in finding good moves and combinations in actual games. You will also learn a great deal about the planning and execution of combinational chess.

Click on any puzzle for details. From there you can solve the puzzle online or select its FEN string and, if you have the full version of SparkChess, paste it in the Board Editor to play from that position. All puzzles have solutions (hidden by default). Don’t forget to comment if you found an alternate (or better) solution!

Use the links on the side (or at the bottom on mobile devices) to see more puzzles. They are sorted in levels to allow everyone to improve their skills.

Chess puzzles are best for when you are idle and bored. They provide a good way to pass time and also improve your concentration, even if you are a beginner or Olympiad master. Learning how to solve these puzzles will improve the knowledge of beginning chess principles – seeing the right move in a position that your opponent overlooked. Our collection of interesting chess positions for online play or trainer mode is unique in that it includes mistakes that were made by top players. Everyone makes mistakes, and studying these common errors is a great way to learn about what not to do!

diagram of Paul Morphy vs Samuel Boden chess puzzle

Paul Morphy vs Samuel Boden

In London, 1859, the legendary Paul Morphy faced off against Samuel Boden in a game that showcases a remarkable finishing touch. White has a forced mate in four moves to decide the outcome.
diagram of Alexandra Kosteniuk vs Anna Ushenina chess puzzle

Alexandra Kosteniuk vs Anna Ushenina

In Minsk 2001, Alexandra Kosteniuk found a way to finish the game against Anna Ushenina in just three moves. This puzzle captures a sharp moment from their meeting in Belarus.
diagram of Nana Dzagnidze vs Inga Charkhalashvili chess puzzle

Nana Dzagnidze vs Inga Charkhalashvili

In Tbilisi during 2004, Nana Dzagnidze faced Inga Charkhalashvili in a game that reached a sudden conclusion. White finds a way to force a mate in just two moves.
diagram of Joseph Blackburne vs Smith chess puzzle

Joseph Blackburne vs Smith

In an 1882 simultaneous exhibition, Joseph Blackburne faced off against Smith. This puzzle invites you to find the mating net that Black could not escape.
diagram of Wlodzimierz Schmidt vs Heinz Liebert chess puzzle

Wlodzimierz Schmidt vs Heinz Liebert

At the 1967 tournament in Polanica Zdroj, Wlodzimierz Schmidt found a way to finish the game against Heinz Liebert. White has a mate in two to conclude the match.
diagram of Pal Benko vs Erno Gereben chess puzzle

Pal Benko vs Erno Gereben

In Budapest during 1954, Pal Benko faced Erno Gereben in a game that concludes with a swift mating pattern. White has a forced mate in two to finish the game.
diagram of Ekaterina Kovalevskaya vs Maria Schoene chess puzzle

Ekaterina Kovalevskaya vs Maria Schoene

During their 2009 meeting in Germany, Ekaterina Kovalevskaya found a way to navigate the defenses of Maria Schoene. White has a forced mate in four to conclude the game.
diagram of Milorad Kapelan vs James Tarjan chess puzzle

Milorad Kapelan vs James Tarjan

In Vrsac, 1983, James Tarjan faced Milorad Kapelan in a game that concluded with a remarkable mating net. Black finds a way to finish the game in just four moves.