Hardest Chess Puzzles Of All Time

The hardest chess puzzles, or studies, are some of the most deeply satisfying to solve. A study is a composed position, meaning it has not appeared in an actual game, that requires a very creative way to win or draw.

The puzzles below are examples of these and truly put your calculation skills to the test. Can you solve the most difficult studies below?

The Puzzles

This position looks like a dead draw, with White's very advanced a-pawn seemingly having no way to survive. But a closer look at the position reveals that this is not the case.

- Afek, 2001

In this second position, White is up a rook, but Black threatens to take all of his pawns. However, some creativity can win the game for White.

- Benko, 1999

In the following position White is up a bishop but his knight is trapped. Can he still win?

- Gorgiev, 1957

In this next puzzle it looks as if it is impossible to stop Black's a-pawn and draw the game. But is this true?

- Kallstrom, 1973

It's easy to see that White has a clear advantage in the following position. However, only one sequence of moves wins. Can you find it?

- Kovalenko, 1968

In this study, it seems that White will lose one of his bishops on the back rank and the game along with it. However, White can draw if he sees the most accurate moves.

- Kricheli, 1984

This is a position that even the engine has trouble finding the winning continuation. Though White is down the exchange with a rook and knight for a queen, he can force resignation with the correct moves. Can you spot them?

- Pogosyants, 1962

This puzzle is very interesting, as White is up a queen for a rook but the Black pawn on c2 cannot be stopped. However, White can win with some accurate moves. Also note that White can draw, but why not score the full point?

- Benko, 1990

In the following study, notice that Black cannot move either of his rooks from the back rank without a skewer of the other. Also, the White king on e1 and rook on a1 have not been moved the entire game.

- Benko, 2003

The position below has White up two pieces for two pawns, but it seems as if one piece will be lost on the back rank and the game will be drawn. How does White win anyway?

- Gunst, 1922

The following position has White down plenty of material, and his c-pawn has seemingly no chances of survival. Even so, he can draw with careful (and brilliant) play. The only flaw in this study is that there are two possible drawing moves for the first move, though they are very similar. I nevertheless decided to include this study because the idea to draw is one of the most creative I have ever seen.

- Herbstman, 1939

Conclusion

I truly hoped that you enjoyed solving these puzzles. Could you do any without hints? Let me know in the comments below!