Intermediate Chess Puzzles

Ready for a challenge? Intermediate puzzles (rated 1200-1800) require multi-move calculation and deeper tactical understanding.

How to get the most from intermediate practice

  1. Scan the whole board first — every check, every capture, every undefended piece — before you start calculating.
  2. Say the pattern's name to yourself when you spot it. Naming is what turns recognition into instinct.
  3. Calculate to a quiet position rather than stopping at the first move that looks strong.
  4. After solving, replay the line once more so the shape stays in memory.
  5. Ten to fifteen puzzles daily beats an hour once a week — tactical memory is built by repetition.

Which level should start here

These puzzles are graded easy through hard, so a child who has just learned the moves and a rated tournament player can both train on the same page. Beginners should stay on the easy set and prioritise spotting the pattern over solving fast. Stronger players can use the hard set for calculation under time pressure. ChessMates students work through puzzles like these between lessons, alongside a structured 196-lesson curriculum and a coach who reviews what they missed.

Why tactics practice works

At beginner and intermediate level, almost every game is decided by a tactic — a hanging piece, a missed fork, a back-rank mate — rather than by deep strategy. That is why puzzle practice produces faster rating gains than opening study for most children. The pattern library you build through daily solving is what lets you see a winning move in seconds during a real game instead of calculating from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a puzzle intermediate level?

Intermediate puzzles (1200-1800 rated) typically require 2-4 move calculations and involve combinations of multiple tactical themes.

When should my child move to intermediate puzzles?

When your child consistently solves beginner puzzles on the first try and can calculate 2 moves ahead, they're ready for intermediate puzzles.

Do intermediate puzzles cover all chess tactics?

Yes! Our intermediate collection includes forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, sacrifices, and many more tactical themes.