Pin Tactics

A pin is a situation where a piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it to capture. Pins are one of the most fundamental tactical motifs in chess.

Types of Pins

Absolute Pin

An absolute pin occurs when moving the pinned piece would expose the king to check. The pinned piece is legally unable to move.

Relative Pin

A relative pin occurs when moving the pinned piece would expose a valuable piece (other than the king) to capture. The piece can legally move, but doing so would result in material loss.

How to Create Pins

1. Bishop Pins: Bishops excel at creating pins along diagonals
2. Rook Pins: Rooks create pins along ranks and files
3. Queen Pins: Queens can pin along ranks, files, and diagonals

Defending Against Pins

• Move the more valuable piece away
• Block the pin with another piece
• Counter-attack the pinning piece
• Create a counter-threat

Common Pin Patterns

The most common pin pattern is when a bishop or rook pins a knight to the king or queen. Look for these opportunities in your games!

Related tactics: skewer-tactics, x-ray-attack, double-attack