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 Johannes Addicks vs. Mladen Gujdev chess puzzle

Johannes Addicks vs. Mladen Gujdev

Johannes Addicks vs. Mladen Gudjev, Prague, 1931. Mate in 3. White to move.
diagram of Jo-Kai Liao vs. Colm Daly chess puzzle

Jo-Kai Liao vs. Colm Daly

Jo-Kai Liao vs Colm Daly, Tromsoe, 2014. Black mates in 2.
diagram of Tigran Petrosian vs. Tomic chess puzzle

Tigran Petrosian vs. Tomic

Tigran Petrosian vs. Dragoslav Tomic, Vinkovci, 1970. Mate in 2. White to move.
diagram of Luis Paulsen vs. Blachy chess puzzle

Luis Paulsen vs. Blachy

Louis Paulsen vs. Blachy, New York, 1857. Mate in 2. White to move.
diagram of Joseph Blackburne vs. Martin chess puzzle

Joseph Blackburne vs. Martin

Joseph Blackburne vs. Martin, England, 1876. Mate in 2. White to move.
diagram of José Capablanca vs. Gunnar Friedemann chess puzzle

José Capablanca vs. Gunnar Friedemann

Another chess puzzle. Mate in 3 with white to move. José Capablanca vs. Gunnar Friedemann, Cuernavaca, 1933.
diagram of Varuzhan Akobian vs. Blas Lugo chess puzzle

Varuzhan Akobian vs. Blas Lugo

Varuzhan Akobian vs. Blas Lugo, Minneapolis, 2005. Mate in 3. White to move.
diagram of Magnus Carlsen vs. Hans Harestad chess puzzle

Magnus Carlsen vs. Hans Harestad

A puzzle from this century’s chess master: Magnus Carlsen vs. Hans Harestad, Copenhagen, 2003. Mate in 3. White to move.