Day 488: Relative pin
Target rating: 1235
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: queen to c6 (a4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to e7 (f7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to b6 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to b2 (a3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to f6 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: rook to a6 (a2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d7 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: bishop to c6 (e4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to d7 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: bishop to d7 (e8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a5 (a6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to f5 (b1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to h8 (f6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to g6 (h6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to d6 (d3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to c2 (a4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: king to a3 (b4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Pin: queen to c6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to c2 (a4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: knight to c6 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: pawn to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to f7 (d6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to f1 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: king to h1 (g1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: knight to e6 (d4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 489 →