The chess pin

Chess tactics

What is a pin in chess?

A pin attacks a piece that cannot move without exposing something more valuable behind it. In an absolute pin the piece behind is the king, so the pinned piece cannot legally move at all. In a relative pin it can move, but at a cost.

How to spot it
  • Bishops, rooks and queens pin along lines, so look for an enemy piece standing in front of its king or queen on a diagonal, file or rank.
  • Add attackers to the pinned piece: it cannot run, so the more you attack it, the sooner it falls.
  • A pinned piece cannot defend. Check what it was protecting.
A common mistake

Pinning a piece and then forgetting to attack it. A pin is only a threat; you still need to win something.

Try it: real puzzles
Example 1: White to move
Show the solution

18. Bc5 Qxc5 19. Qxc5+

Example 2: Black to move
Show the solution

27... Qe1+ 28. Bf1 b4

Example 3: Black to move
Show the solution

10... Bb4 11. Qxb4 Nxb4

Example 4: Black to move
Show the solution

31... Rxf1#

Train pin puzzles in ChessPeak

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