Moderate Chess Puzzles

Play and solve medium-difficulty chess puzzles for enthusiasts. You’ll find solutions and historical details and you can play each puzzle live against the computer.

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.
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 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 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.
diagram of Alexander Alekhine vs. Frieman chess puzzle

Alexander Alekhine vs. Frieman

This chess puzzle shows the challenge between Alexander Alekhine and Abraham Frieman, New York, 1924. Alekhine wins in 3 playing white.