Mind LoftEnd Game puzzles
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Free daily endgame puzzles

Free Daily Endgame Puzzles: Chess, Othello, Checkers, Connect Four and Dots

Seven endgames a day, each one a position you are already winning with exactly one move that keeps it. Three from chess, and one each from Othello, checkers, Connect Four and dots and boxes. None of them is checked against a key: the position is played out against an engine that defends as well as it can, and the round ends when the game does.

Play today's Mate Run the Board Games circuit
7games
1new board a day, each
0signups needed

Chess endings

3About these 3
MateChess: mate in twoWhite to play and mateFind the one move that forces checkmate, then play the line out against the best defence.Today's board1 2 3 PlayDefendChess: defend the mateBlack to play and surviveWhite is threatening mate. Five moves look like they answer it and exactly one does, and finding it only buys you the next one.Today's board1 2 3 PlayQueenChess: king and pawn endingWhite to play and promoteA king and pawn endgame you are already winning. One first move keeps the win, and then every move of the walk has to be exact against a perfect defence.Today's board1 2 3 Play

Board endgames

4About these 4
FourConnect Four endgameOne column winsThe position is already won for you. Find the single column that keeps it, because a wrong drop is not taken back.Today's board1 2 3 PlayCheckCheckers sweepRed to play and sweepFind the one move that takes every black piece inside three, then play it out with no take-back.Today's board1 2 3 PlayChainDots and boxes endgameTake them, or leave themThe safe edges are gone and the boxes are counted in your favour. One edge keeps it, and the free box is usually the trap.Today's board1 2 3 PlayTurnOthello endgameTen squares leftAn Othello endgame you are already winning. One square keeps it, and flipping the fewest discs is the habit that gets you beaten.Today's board1 2 3 Play

How an endgame puzzle works

Every board here starts from a won position with the winning line already narrowed to a single first move. Find it and the engine takes the other side and defends as stubbornly as it can, so you have to keep finding the right move until the game is over. A wrong move is not taken back and is not announced: the game simply goes on, and a position that was won is now something else.

That is what separates these from a tactics trainer. A move the key did not list but which still wins, wins. A mistake costs you the game rather than a hint. The board ranks solvers by how many attempts the solve took, so a position you get wrong can be replayed, and the replay counts.

Where to start

Four if you want the shortest one: a single column keeps a won Connect Four position. Mate if you have done chess tactics before. Turn and Chain reward habits that are the opposite of what looks natural, flipping the fewest discs and leaving a free box alone, and are the ones to save for when the others feel easy.

The week

Monday to SaturdayLonger forcing lines and more plausible wrong moves as the week goes on.
Sunday EditionDefend asks for a hold of four moves; Queen asks for a win in twelve.

Questions

Do I need to know the game?

The rules of each are stated on its page and the engine enforces them. What the puzzles test is reading a position a few moves deep, not remembering openings.

What happens if I play a wrong move?

The game continues against the engine, and you can replay the position. The board ranks by how many attempts the solve took.

Are they free?

Yes, all seven, every day, no account required.