Chess Puzzles

Chess Puzzles is a free set of 370 checkmate puzzles you can solve in your browser: mate in 1, mate in 2 and mate in 3. Each puzzle shows a position and the side to move, and your job is to find the moves that force checkmate. It works on a computer, tablet or phone, with no download or sign-up.

How the puzzles were made

Every puzzle was created by computer, not copied from a book or website. A small chess engine played thousands of games against itself with some randomness, and a few endgame setups were built as well. Each position was then searched exhaustively: every move for the attacking side and every possible defense. A position was kept only if exactly one first move forces checkmate in the stated number of moves, with no faster mate. That means there is always one correct first move. Promotions count as different moves, so if a pawn promotes, only one choice of piece works.

Later in a mate in 2 or 3, there can be more than one way to finish. Any move that still forces mate in the moves left is accepted.

How to play

• Make your move: tap a piece and then a square, or drag it. The board is turned so the side to move is at the bottom.
• Opponent replies: after a correct move, the computer plays the defense that holds out longest, and you continue until it is checkmate.
• Hints: the first hint names the piece to move, the second highlights it. A puzzle solved with a hint counts as half a solve.
• Wrong moves: a wrong move is shown in red and taken back. You can try again or show the solution. Only a first-try solve raises your rating and streak.
• Choose puzzles: filter by Mate in 1, 2 or 3 and by Easy, Medium or Hard, or play the Daily puzzle. Next puzzle skips ones you have already solved.

Difficulty and rating

Each puzzle has a rating and a level. Mate in 1 puzzles are easy. Longer mates are rated higher, and a quiet first move that does not give check, or a position where the defender has many replies, makes a puzzle harder. Your own rating starts at 1200 and moves up or down after each first try, by more when you beat a puzzle rated above you. The Stats tab shows your rating over recent puzzles, your best streak and your results for each kind of mate.

Tips for solving mates

• Look at checks first, then captures, then threats. Most mates start with a forcing move.
• Count the escape squares around the enemy king and ask which of your pieces can cover them.
• Do not ignore quiet moves. In some mate in 2 and 3 puzzles the key move gives no check but leaves the defender with no good answer.
• Check every defense before you move. If one reply stops your idea, look for another first move.

Want to use your tactics in a real game? Play Chess against the computer, or try Reversi for a different kind of strategy.

FAQ

Are these puzzles from real games?

No. They come from games played by a simple computer engine and from built endgame positions, then checked by exhaustive search.

What is the daily puzzle?

One puzzle chosen from the date, so everyone gets the same puzzle on the same day. A new one appears at midnight on your device.

Is my progress saved?

Yes. Your rating, streak, solved puzzles and recent results are saved in your browser on this device. You can reset them from the Stats tab.