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 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.
diagram of Alexander Riazantsev vs Alexander Gamota chess puzzle

Alexander Riazantsev vs Alexander Gamota

In Moscow 1997, Russian Grandmaster Alexander Riazantsev faced off against Alexander Gamota in a game that concluded with a sharp mating net. White finds a decisive way to finish the game in just three moves.
diagram of Efim Bogoljubov vs Rudolf Spielmann chess puzzle

Efim Bogoljubov vs Rudolf Spielmann

In Stockholm 1919, Efim Bogoljubov faced the legendary Rudolf Spielmann in a game that concludes with a decisive mating net. White finds a way to deliver mate in four moves.
diagram of Tea Bosboom-Lanchava vs Anna Muzychuk chess puzzle

Tea Bosboom-Lanchava vs Anna Muzychuk

During their 2004 meeting in Calvia, Anna Muzychuk found a powerful way to finish the game against Tea Bosboom-Lanchava. This puzzle asks you to find the mating net Black can weave in just four moves.
diagram of Dawid Przepiorka vs Erich Eliskases chess puzzle

Dawid Przepiorka vs Erich Eliskases

The game between Dawid Przepiorka, representing Poland and Erich Eliskases, an Austrian born chess player took place in Hamburg, Germany, 1930.
diagram of Frederick Yates vs. Aaron Nimzowitsch chess puzzle

Frederick Yates vs. Aaron Nimzowitsch

Germany, Hamburg,1910. The city of Hamburg hosted one of most interesting chess game between Frederick Yates and Aaron Nimzowitsch.
diagram of Paul Journoud vs. Jules Arnous de Rivière chess puzzle

Paul Journoud vs. Jules Arnous de Rivière

The confrontation between the well-known French players took place in 1860 at Café de la Régence chess club in Paris.
diagram of Siegbert Tarrasch vs. Max Kurschner chess puzzle

Siegbert Tarrasch vs. Max Kurschner

This is the endgame between two strong German chess players, Siegbert Tarrasch and Max Kurschner, in Nürnberg, 1893. With a surprising sacrifice, white won in two moves. Can you find Siegbert’s moves?