Day 526: Relative pin
Target rating: 1280
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: rook to b7 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to h6 (h2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to b7 (d7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: knight to c6 (e5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (e4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: bishop to b7 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b6 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to b7 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to g5 (d8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: knight to f6 (g4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: queen to h7 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to a7 (a5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (b6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: knight to d5 (c3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to a2 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: knight to b5 (a7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (e4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to g6 (g5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to h7 (c2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to b6 (f2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (c3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to d5 (c3·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 527 →