Day 625: Relative pin
Target rating: 1406
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. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d4·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to a8 (a3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to b6 (b2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to b7 (f3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to g8 (g1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: bishop to c7 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c7 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to c6 (a4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to e6 (f5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to h7 (c2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (g4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to a7 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (d2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (d3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to h7 (f5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Pin: rook to f1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: knight to g6 (e5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to d3 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (f6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: rook to g1 (h1)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (e3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (f7·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: bishop to f8 (g7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: pin on h6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 626 →