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The Pin: A Powerful Positional Weapon

What is it?
A tactic where an attacking piece prevents an enemy piece from moving because doing so would expose a more valuable piece (or the king) behind it.
How to Identify
Look for three pieces on a straight line: your attacking piece (queen, rook, or bishop), an enemy piece, and a more valuable enemy piece behind it.
Why is it Important?
Pins are a fundamental part of chess. They can win material, disrupt your opponent's coordination, and create weaknesses that you can exploit later.

How to Exploit Pinned Pieces

From Good to Great: Pro-Level Tips

Absolute vs. Relative Pins

An **absolute pin** is one where the piece behind is the king; it is illegal for the pinned piece to move. A **relative pin** is one where the piece behind is not the king (e.g., a queen or rook). The pinned piece can legally move, but it would result in a material loss.

Pile Up on the Pinned Piece

Once you have pinned a piece, it becomes a target. The best way to exploit a pin is to attack the pinned piece with more, less valuable pieces (like pawns). Since the pinned piece cannot move, your opponent will struggle to defend it.

A Move That Made History: Capablanca vs. Fonaroff, 1918

This game is a masterclass by Jose Capablanca on the strategic use of pins. There isn't one single "puzzle" move, but throughout the game, Capablanca uses subtle pins to restrict his opponent's pieces, control key squares, and slowly build an overwhelming positional advantage. It teaches that pins are not just for winning material quickly, but are a tool for long-term domination.

[Interactive Chess Board Placeholder for FEN: r1bqk2r/pp1n1ppp/2pbpn2/3p4/2PP4/2N1PN2/PP2BPPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 4 7]
The Winning Combination: 7. O-O O-O 8. b3

Understanding Strategic & Tactical Pins

Next Level Challenge

Learn the "reverse pin" with our Skewer Puzzles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pin in chess?

A pin is a chess tactic where a piece is "pinned" against a more valuable piece behind it. An attacking piece (a bishop, rook, or queen) is aimed at the valuable piece, but a less valuable enemy piece stands in the way, preventing it from moving.

What is the difference between an absolute and a relative pin?

An absolute pin is when the piece being shielded is the king, making it illegal for the pinned piece to move out of the line of attack. A relative pin is when the shielded piece is something other than the king (like a queen or rook), meaning the pinned piece can legally move, but it would be a bad idea as it would lose material.

How do you break a pin?

There are several ways to break a pin: you can move the more valuable piece that is behind, block the line of attack with another one of your pieces, or capture the pinning piece.