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 Aleksandar Berelovich vs Francisco Vallejo Pons chess puzzle

Aleksandar Berelovich vs Francisco Vallejo Pons

In Germany, 2010, Aleksandar Berelovich found a way to conclude this game against Francisco Vallejo Pons with a short but decisive finish. Can you find the two-move mating pattern?
diagram of Jan Timman vs Jan Donner chess puzzle

Jan Timman vs Jan Donner

In 1973, Jan Timman faced Jan Donner in Amsterdam with a decisive opportunity on the board. Find the four-move mating net that decided this game.
diagram of Elina Danielian vs Monica Calzetta chess puzzle

Elina Danielian vs Monica Calzetta

In Buenos Aires, 1993, Elina Danielian faced Monica Calzetta in a game that concluded with a sharp mating net. White finds a way to finish the game in just three moves.
diagram of Nikita Vitiugov vs Ivan Ryzhov chess puzzle

Nikita Vitiugov vs Ivan Ryzhov

In Rybinsk 2004, Nikita Vitiugov found a way to finish the game against Ivan Ryzhov. This puzzle explores a mating net that White managed to construct in just four moves.
diagram of Alexandra Kosteniuk vs Tina Mietzner chess puzzle

Alexandra Kosteniuk vs Tina Mietzner

In Dresden, 1999, Alexandra Kosteniuk faced Tina Mietzner in a game that reached a sudden, decisive conclusion. White finds a way to force checkmate in just four moves.
diagram of Rafael Vaganian vs Viktor Korchnoi chess puzzle

Rafael Vaganian vs Viktor Korchnoi

In Moscow 1975, Rafael Vaganian found a way to overcome the legendary Viktor Korchnoi. This puzzle presents a quick mating net that White can execute in just two moves.
diagram of Herman Steiner vs Ludwig Rellstab Sr chess puzzle

Herman Steiner vs Ludwig Rellstab Sr

In Reggio Emilia during 1951, Herman Steiner found a way to overwhelm Ludwig Rellstab Sr. with a direct mating attack. White possesses a forced mate in four to finish the game.
diagram of Zhao Xue vs Jovanka Houska chess puzzle

Zhao Xue vs Jovanka Houska

In Turin 2006, Zhao Xue found a way to navigate the complexities of this position against Jovanka Houska. White possesses a decisive mating net if the moves are found.