These puzzles are about recognising an idea rather than guessing quickly. Read the position, choose your own move, then open the hint or solution. All three are original teaching positions with White to move.
In this guide
How to read the puzzles
The boards show White at the bottom. A letter and number identify a square, such as d1. Answers spell out starting and destination squares; × means capture, + check and # checkmate. You do not need to memorise language-specific piece initials.
Each diagram also has an expandable text description listing every piece. Answers are explained here rather than embedded as an interactive game. There is no timer, sign-in or automatic grading.
Puzzle 1: an undefended piece
White: king g1, rook d1. Black: king g8, queen d5. What material can you win immediately? Check the entire line between source and destination.
Position as text
White: rook d1, king g1. Black: king g8, queen d5. To move: White.
Show hint
A rook can travel along a clear file. The opposing king is not near the queen.
Answer and explanation
Rook d1 × d5. The intervening squares d2, d3 and d4 are clear. The rook captures the undefended queen, and the black king on g8 cannot recapture. This is not checkmate; it is a decisive material gain. The lesson is to inspect open lines and loose pieces.
Puzzle 2: two attacks with one move
White: king g1, knight f5. Black: king e8, queen b7. Find a knight move that checks the king and also attacks the queen.
Position as text
White: knight f5, king g1. Black: king e8, queen b7. To move: White.
Show hint
Find a square from which the knight attacks both e8 and b7. It must also be a legal destination from f5.
Answer and explanation
Knight f5–d6+. From d6 the knight attacks king e8 and queen b7. Black must answer the check; the queen cannot capture the knight or block its attack. After a king move comes knight d6 × b7. This double threat is a fork.
Puzzle 3: mate in one
White: king f6, queen g6. Black: king h8. White can end the game immediately. Find the move, then check every possible escape square.
Position as text
White: king f6, queen g6. Black: king h8. To move: White.
Show hint
The queen needs protection when moving next to the black king. The white king controls g7.
Answer and explanation
Queen g6–g7#. The queen attacks h8 and controls h7 and g8. The black king cannot capture the queen on g7 because White’s king on f6 protects it. There is no escape and no other black piece to intervene: checkmate.
What the puzzles have in common
Every solution needs a complete check. The rook needs an open line. The fork needs check to protect the second attack. Mate requires every escape square controlled and the queen defended. “Looks good” is not enough; name the reason.
After solving one, mentally change a piece: what happens if White’s king in the final diagram stands farther away? The queen may no longer be protected. Small counterexamples turn a memorised answer into an understood pattern.