Day 449: Relative pin
Target rating: 1176
Lesson of the day
In a relative pin the piece shields not its king but something valuable behind it, usually the queen. Moving is legal but costly, because the piece behind falls. Look for three units on one line: your long-range piece, a cheaper enemy piece, and an expensive one hiding behind. Beware the classic trap — a relatively pinned piece can still move with check or a bigger threat, so verify before you cash in.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: king to e2 (d1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to d6 (b5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: king to g1 (f1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to d4 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: knight to f7 (e5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: king to a1 (b1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to g6 (h5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: king to f1 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to c4 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: pawn to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: bishop to b5 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to d5 (e5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b4 (c2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: knight to d7 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: bishop to f5 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: rook to e2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to e6 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6 (b2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to h6 (h5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to g6 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: knight to e6 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to c6 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 450 →