Sharpen your tactical vision with these puzzles—ranging from beginner to advanced. Grab a board (or visualize) and take your time!

Puzzle 1: Beginner (White to Move, Mate in 1)
[Insert FEN: 8/8/8/4k3/8/8/3Q4/7K w – – 0 1]
Clue: The black king has no escape squares.
Solution: Qd5#

Puzzle 2: Intermediate (Black to Move, Win a Piece)
[Insert FEN: r3kb1r/pp3ppp/2n1p3/3q4/3P4/2N2N2/PP2QPPP/R1B2RK1 b kq – 0 1]
Clue: Look for a discovered attack.
Solution: … Bg4! attacking the queen and knight.

Puzzle 3: Advanced (White to Move, Mate in 3)
[Insert FEN: 2r3k1/1b2qppp/3b4/p1p5/1pPn4/1P2P1PP/P2B1P2/R2Q1RK1 w – – 0 1]
Clue: Sacrifice material to open lines.
Solution: 1. Bxh7+! Kxh7 2. Qh5+ Kg8 3. Rf4! threatening Rg4#.

Puzzle 4: Endgame (White to Move, Draw)
[Insert FEN: 8/8/8/5k2/8/5K2/8/5R2 w – – 0 1]
Clue: Use the “shouldering” technique.
Solution: 1. Rh1! blocking the black king’s path.

Puzzle 5: Positional (Black to Move, Gain Advantage)
[Insert FEN: r1bq1rk1/pp3ppp/2n1pn2/2pp4/3P4/2PBPN2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 b – – 0 1]
Clue: Exploit the weakened light squares.
Solution: … d4! undermining White’s center.