Day 676: Relative pin
Target rating: 1472
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: knight to h7 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to g4 (e2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: pawn to c4 (d3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to g8 (c8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to b5 (b4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (e6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to b6 (a5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to b5 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: queen to d7 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: pawn to d6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: rook to g7 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: queen to g6 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: rook to f8 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to h8 (g7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to g1 (d1)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e1 (f1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (h6·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (c2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 1: queen to h2 (e5·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e1 (f1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: deflection on e8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to a2 (b1·40)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: pin on g6 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 677 →