CHESS RIDDLES THAT ARE FUN TO SOLVE

These riddles remind me of my chess-filled childhood. If you’ve heard them before, they’ll surely bring back memories. And if you haven’t, you’re in for something fun! You don’t need to be a chess expert to solve them — just a little knowledge of the game is enough.

Riddle #1

You need to place 8 queens (of any color) on a chessboard so that none of them can attack each other.
There are several possible ways to place the queens so they don’t attack each other — your task is to find just one valid arrangement.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION

Riddle #2

Both White and Black will make the same moves, and White delivers checkmate on the fourth move.
For example if White plays 1.Nf3 black will also play 1.Nf6 (copycat) - Example
(No Illegal moves)
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Riddle #3

Starting from the initial position, both White and Black make moves with the same goal — to help White checkmate Black’s king. The puzzle ends with Nxh8# in just Six moves. It’s a fascinating helpmate!
(No Illegal moves)
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Riddle #4

From the inital position, you are expected to reach the following position by any means. (only Legal moves though)
Note: There are no restrictions in the number of moves.
CLICK HERE FOR THE POSITION | CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION

Riddle #5

"From the Starting Position"
Another helpmate - Black should checkmate White's king on move 5 on h5. Ie, White's 5th move would be Kh5 and black should be able to deliver a checkmate.
(No Illegal moves)
CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION(s)

Riddle #6

"The Knight's tour"
A single knight is expected to tour the entire chess board covering all the squares.
Rule: No overlapping - The Knight shouldn't revisit the same square (even for the 2nd time).
Tip: It is better to start from one of the corners (a1,h1 or a8,h8)
Initial Position | Solution (Video)

Riddle #7

From the starting position of the chessboard, find the quickest way to stalemate.
There is actually a way in which, white stalemates black's king on move no.10
Note: Captures are allowed
Rule : No Illegal moves
CLICK HERE FOR THE FINAL POSITION | CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION

Riddle #8

From the starting position, black needs to stalemate white's king on move 12.
But here's the twist. NO CAPTURES - All pieces (for both sides) must remain on the board at the time of stalemate.
Rule : No Illegal moves
CLICK HERE FOR THE FINAL POSITION | CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION

Riddle #9

"From the initial position"
You need to reach the following position on move 4.
(On the completion of the 4th move by both sides, the above must be reached)
ONLY LEGAL MOVES
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Riddle #10

"From the initial position"
You need to reach the following position on move 4.
(On the completion of the 4th move by both sides, the above must be reached)
ONLY LEGAL MOVES
Note: It is not 3-moves but 4. It is possible to achive the objective in 3 moves. The task is to reach the exact position on the completion of the 4th move.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION

Riddle #11

"From the initial position - The quickest way to eliminate all pieces on the board except for the kings"
You need to reach the following position on move 20.
(On the completion of the 20th move by white, the above must be reached)
ONLY LEGAL MOVES
CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION

Riddle #12

"Reversed thinking"
You have this given position.
Question: What was black's last move? (Should be a legal move)
Note that it must be a position where white must be able to make a legal move after black's turn
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Riddle #13

White to play checkmate in 0. (Yes you saw it correct - Check mate in 'zero moves')
You must find a way to checkmate the black's king without moving any of your pieces! (Position)
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Riddle #14

In this position, you are allowed to add one square anywhere (on the edges of the chess board)
Task: After adding the square - White to play & checkmate in 2 moves
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Riddle #15

In this position, white should force the end of the game in just 2 moves. To be clear - On move no.2 (White or black) the game should end in a checkmate or end in a stalemate.
Normal rules of the game apply
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Riddle #16

Question 1 : Identify the color of the pieces in this given position.
Question 2 : What was the last move ?
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Riddle #17

In this position, it is white to move.
How may checkmates in 2 are there? (No. of ways in which white could checkmate the black king in 2 moves)
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Riddle #18

In this position, it is white to play.
You are expected to add the black's king on a non-check square.
After adding the black king - white should checkmate in one move.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION

Riddle #19

In this given position, add white's king to make this (current) position legal and the former moves legal too.
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Riddle #20

Starting from the intial position on the chessboard, you need to reach this given position on the 26th move of black. Note that all moves must be legal.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SOLUTION

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I hope this was enjoyable!

Cheers!

Do comment on your favourite riddle :)