How to Solve Chess Puzzles as a Beginner

1. Identify whose turn it is

Check the side to move before calculating. Then read the task: does it ask for a checkmate, a winning tactic, or simply the strongest move? A puzzle’s goal tells you what counts as success.

2. Check immediate threats

Look at both kings first. Is your king in check, or is the opponent threatening mate or a valuable piece? A move that ignores check is illegal, and a move that overlooks a direct threat may throw away the position.

3. Look for checks, captures, and threats

Scan for forcing moves: checks, captures, and moves that create a clear threat. Checks often narrow the opponent’s replies. Captures can remove a defender, while a threat such as attacking the queen may win time. These are candidates to examine, not automatic answers.

4. Calculate the opponent’s likely replies

For each candidate, imagine the opponent’s strongest response. If you give check, ask whether the king can move, capture the checking piece, or block the line. If you attack a piece, ask whether it can move or whether your target is protected. Continue until the position settles enough to judge the result.

5. Compare candidate moves before choosing

Compare what each move achieves and what it allows. A capture may look tempting but lose to a recapture; a quieter move may create an unavoidable threat. Check the final material, king safety, and any remaining threats. Choose the move that holds up against the best reply, then verify the whole line once more.

Example: Finding the Best Move

White to move: White has a king on g1, queen on h5, knight on e5, and rook on h1; Black has only a king on g8. Find mate in one.

First notice that Black’s king is exposed and White can give check. Consider forcing moves, especially checks: Qf7+ is the key candidate. From f7, the queen checks the king on g8. Check every king square: f8 and g7 are covered by the queen, h7 is covered by the queen, and h8 is controlled by the rook on h1. The king cannot capture the queen on f7 because the knight on e5 protects that square. With no other black pieces to block or capture, Qf7# is checkmate and the best move.

Practice one position at a time

Give yourself a moment to inspect the board and compare continuations before moving. Next Move presents real chess positions and asks you to find the strongest continuation, so you can put this process into practice one puzzle at a time.