Day 776: Relative pin
Target rating: 1658
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. Mate in 3: queen to f6 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6 (h4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to e7 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: rook to e1 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: knight to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: rook to a7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: queen to d7 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: rook to g3 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: queen to f5 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to c5 (f8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: rook to g5 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to e6 (f5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to e3 (d2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to d8 (d3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: bishop to e6 (f5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to a6 (e2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to f7 (f1·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to f5 (d5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e2·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b5 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: rook to g7 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Fork: pawn to f4 (f5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 777 →