Daily chess puzzle - hints and answers for Saturday, November 7, 2026
This chess puzzle comes from a Rapid game on Lichess between Angryenzyme (1,679) and Bjavan (1,780). White to move, and the position holds a decisive tactic for white. Lichess rates the puzzle 1,918, which sits in our Hard band. Work the ladder below: the board first, then hints that give away a little more with each step down the ladder.
Step 1 - The setup
From a Rapid game (10+5) on Lichess between Angryenzyme (1,679) and Bjavan (1,780). The position comes 81 half-moves into the game, right after Black played Qe8+. White to move.
Puzzle from a real game played on Lichess (CC0): Angryenzyme (1,679) vs Bjavan (1,780). Play it on Lichess · See the full game
Step 2 - The idea
What kind of tactic is hiding in the position.
The theme is mate in 3: checkmate is forced in three moves.
Step 3 - The piece
Which piece makes the key move.
Your king is the piece that starts the tactic.
Step 4 - The first move
The first move of the line, in standard notation.
Kxh6 - the king moves from h5 to h6 capturing the piece on h6.
Step 5 - The solution
The full line, move by move - and a stepper that walks the board through it.
41. Kxh6 Qxe7 42. Qc8+ Qf8+ 43. Qxf8# - 5 moves.
The line ends in checkmate.