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The 1000-day course

Day 706: Relative pin

Target rating: 1508

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: pawn to c7 (c6·11)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to d6 (c4·6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to d7 (g4·5)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to h6 (h4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to f5 (c2·6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (e3·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: pawn to g5 (g4·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c6 (d4·19)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to d5 (d1·12)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f4 (d3·15)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Mate in 3: bishop to f7 (g8)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to a5 (c3·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e6 (d6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to e5 (h5·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e6 (c6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: rook to c7 (c6·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6 (e5·10)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to f8 (e7·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e3·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: rook to b5 (a5)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to c4 (c7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: rook to a6 (d6·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to e7 (h4·6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f7 (f6·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to e6 (f5·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 3: king to d1Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: knight to e7 (f5·4)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: bishop to h7 (c2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: knight to d6 (c4·9)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f3 (f6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 707 →