Day 551: Relative pin
Target rating: 1304
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 h8 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to e6 (d7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c4 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to f8 (f1·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to e6 (d4·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to g8 (g6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to a6 (a4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: knight to a7 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to c6 (d6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f6 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Win the hanging rook on d3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to e3 (e1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: rook to d8 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: knight to e3 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to c7 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: rook to f7 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Discovered attack: knight to e6 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: bishop to a6 (b7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to g8 (g6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to b7 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 552 →