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 Siegbert Tarrasch vs Arthur Kurschner chess puzzle

Siegbert Tarrasch vs Arthur Kurschner

In Nuremberg 1889, Siegbert Tarrasch faced off against Arthur Kurschner in a game defined by a swift conclusion. White finds a way to force a mate in four moves.
diagram of JR Capablanca vs TA Carter chess puzzle

JR Capablanca vs TA Carter

In St Louis, 1909, JR Capablanca faced TA Carter in a game that concluded with a swift mating net. White finds a way to finish the game in just three moves.
diagram of Tigran Petrosian vs Dragoslav Tomic chess puzzle

Tigran Petrosian vs Dragoslav Tomic

In Vinkovci during 1970, the legendary Tigran Petrosian faced Dragoslav Tomic in a game that concludes with a swift mating pattern. White finds a way to finish the game in just two moves.
diagram of Tigran V Petrosian vs Rafael Kakiashvili chess puzzle

Tigran V Petrosian vs Rafael Kakiashvili

In Tbilisi, 1945, Tigran V Petrosian faced Rafael Kakiashvili in a game that culminated in a remarkable mating net. White finds a way to finish the game in just four moves.
diagram of Siegbert Tarrasch vs Eckart chess puzzle

Siegbert Tarrasch vs Eckart

In Nuremberg 1892, Siegbert Tarrasch faced Eckart in a game that culminated in a swift mating net. Can you find the three moves required to finish the game?
diagram of Rudolf Spielmann vs Saviely Tartakower chess puzzle

Rudolf Spielmann vs Saviely Tartakower

In Munich, 1909, Rudolf Spielmann faced off against Saviely Tartakower in a game that concludes with a beautiful mating pattern. Find the three moves that seal the victory for White.
diagram of Iryna Zenyuk vs Sabina-Francesca Foisor chess puzzle

Iryna Zenyuk vs Sabina-Francesca Foisor

In Saint Louis during the 2009 season, Sabina-Francesca Foisor found a way to finish the game quickly against Iryna Zenyuk. This puzzle features a sharp mating pattern that Black can execute in just two moves.
diagram of Emanuel Lasker vs NN chess puzzle

Emanuel Lasker vs NN

In Manchester, 1903, the legendary Emanuel Lasker faced an unnamed opponent in a game that concludes with a swift mating pattern. See if you can find the two-move finish that left the board decided.