CHESS HUNTER GUIDES
Which chess puzzle book should I choose for my level?
Compare all eight Chess Hunter books by their Lichess puzzle rating ranges and training focus. Find a starting point using sample puzzles and your playing experience.
What the rating numbers describe
The numbers below are the lowest and highest Lichess puzzle ratings among the positions selected for each book. They describe the difficulty of the included puzzles in the source data. A playing rating from Chess.com, Lichess or FIDE comes from games and uses a different scale or pool. Choose using the theme and sample pages as well as the range.
| Book | Where to start | Lichess puzzle rating | What it practises |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checkmate Hunter | First steps | 401–1,556 | Learn to see mate in one before working on longer forcing lines. |
| Fork Hunter | Building tactical confidence | 606–1,794 | Start with knight forks. Move on to other pieces and positions where you have to create the fork. |
| Pins & Skewers | Building tactical confidence | 800–1,700 | Choose this if you miss threats along ranks, files or diagonals. |
| Combination Hunter | Connecting tactical ideas | 781–1,700 | Choose this if you spot the first move but lose track of how the moves work together. |
| Sacrifice Hunter | More demanding calculation | 850–1,834 | Choose this to test whether giving up material leads to a concrete gain. |
| Defense Detective | More demanding calculation | 853–1,834 | Choose this if you often see the opponent’s threat too late. |
| Endgame Explorer | Practical endgame work | 850–1,834 | Choose this to practise pawn races, promotions and active rooks. |
| Chess Hunter | Mixed practice at three levels | 801–2,094 | Choose a level, then solve without knowing the theme in advance. |
Use the three levels in the mixed book
Chess Hunter was arranged into Foundations (puzzle ratings 800–1,199), Calculation (1,200–1,599) and Challenge (1,600–2,099). These are the section bands used to select the positions. The actual lowest and highest puzzle ratings are in the table.
Pick your starting point with a sample
If you are new to chess puzzles, try the first Checkmate Hunter sample and begin with mate in one. For a focused tactical session, choose Fork Hunter or Pins & Skewers by the pattern you miss most often. If you are comfortable calculating basic combinations, choose the subject you struggle with in games: sacrifices, defence or endings. Pick the mixed book if your main challenge is recognising which skill to use.
Solve a few sample positions without looking at the answers. If you usually find the move and can explain the strongest reply, try the next section or a different theme. If you often need a hint, start with an easier sample on the same theme. For a young player, see the parent’s guide to choosing a chess puzzle book.
Rating sources
The ranges were calculated from the published selections and their Lichess open puzzle database ratings. Lichess explains why playing ratings differ across platforms and federations.