Chess Puzzles

Interesting chess puzzles and game positions in FEN format.

If you have the full version of SparkChess, you can copy each string, paste it in the Board Editor, then click Apply to play from that position. If you just have the online version, click the "Play now" link after each puzzle.

Tip: Click on a FEN string to select it automatically.

diagram of Mikhail Tal vs. Pal Benko chess puzzle

Mikhail Tal vs. Pal Benko

From the classics. Chess puzzle, Mikhail Tal vs. Pal Benko, Bled, 1959. White moves and wins in 2.
diagram of Jacques Schwarz vs. Samsonov chess puzzle

Jacques Schwarz vs. Samsonov

Without Queen, can Jacques Schwarz defeat Samsonov? Find out what happened in Hailedberg solving this puzzle. White to move. Mate in 2.
diagram of Wilhelm Steinitz vs. Herbert Trenchard chess puzzle

Wilhelm Steinitz vs. Herbert Trenchard

A nice online chess puzzle from Wilhelm Steinitz vs. Herbert Trenchard in 1887.
diagram of Wilhelm Steinitz vs. David Sands chess puzzle

Wilhelm Steinitz vs. David Sands

Wilhelm Steinitz vs. David Sands, New York, 1887. White to move and wins in 2.
diagram of Viktor Korchnoi vs. Peterson chess puzzle

Viktor Korchnoi vs. Peterson

Viktor Korchnoi vs. Peterson, Kiev, 1964. White to move and win in 4.
diagram of Simen Agdestein vs. Al Qudaimi chess puzzle

Simen Agdestein vs. Al Qudaimi

Simen Agdestein vs Basheer Al Qudaimi, Tromsoe, 2014. Mate in 4. White to move.
diagram of Boikhutso Mudongo vs. Karolina Olsarova chess puzzle

Boikhutso Mudongo vs. Karolina Olsarova

Boikhutso Mudongo vs Karolina Olsarova, Tromsoe. Black to move. Mate in 2.
diagram of Vassily Ivanchuk vs. Josif Dorfman chess puzzle

Vassily Ivanchuk vs. Josif Dorfman

Vassily Ivanchuk vs Josif Dorfman, Cap d’Agde, 1998. White mate in 3.