Day 727: Relative pin
Target rating: 1561
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 g8 (f8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to c7 (c3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to g5 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c6 (b7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to b7 (d7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to g8 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to a8 (a7·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to e7 (d8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: rook to d1 (f1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to b8 (b7·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: bishop to c6 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to a4 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a4 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: bishop to e6 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: queen to b8 (a8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: queen to h6 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 3: rook to d2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: knight to b4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: bishop to e6 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: bishop to f3 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (g3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 728 →