Chess tactics

What Is a Pin in Chess?

A pin is an attack by a bishop, rook, or queen on an enemy piece that cannot move, or should not move, because a more valuable piece stands behind it on the same line. The pinned piece is stuck shielding what is behind it.

Examples

1. Re1 Qxe1+ 2. Qxe1+

An absolute pin. Re1 pins the queen on e5 to the king on e8, so the queen cannot step off the e-file, where the rook still attacks it. The best Black can do is give the queen for the rook with Qxe1+.

1. d5 Ne5 2. Bxe8

A relative pin. The knight on c6 is pinned to the rook on e8, so after d5 it may legally move, but Ne5 lets Bxe8 win the rook. Leaving the knight where it is loses it to dxc6.

Absolute and relative pins

In an absolute pin the piece behind is the king. Moving the pinned piece off the line would expose the king to check, so the move is illegal. A pinned piece that moves along that kind of line, such as a rook pinned on a file, may still slide along the pin and may even capture the pinning piece.

In a relative pin the piece behind is something other than the king, usually the queen or a rook. Moving the pinned piece is legal, but it hands over the more valuable piece behind it. A classic case is Bg5 pinning a knight on f6 to the queen on d8.

How to exploit a pin

A pinned piece is a target, not a defender. Attack it again, ideally with a pawn, because the pinned piece cannot run away. Pile more attackers on it than the opponent can add defenders.

A piece pinned to its king also cannot capture anything off the pin line, so squares and pieces it seems to guard may really be unprotected. Check whether the defender you are worried about is actually free to move.

How to break a pin

Move the valuable piece out from behind the pinned one, put another piece in between, or attack the pinning piece with a pawn (moves like a6 or h6 that ask the bishop to decide). Do this before the opponent can add a second attacker, not after.

Common questions

Can a pinned piece give check?

Yes. A piece pinned to its own king still gives check, because a king may never move into or stay in check, no matter whether the checking piece is pinned.

What is the difference between a pin and a skewer?

Both are attacks along a line. In a pin the less valuable piece is in front and stays put to protect the piece behind. In a skewer the more valuable piece is in front and has to move, exposing the piece behind.

Can a knight pin a piece?

No. Pins work along ranks, files, and diagonals, so only bishops, rooks, and queens can pin. A knight attacks by jumping and has no line for anything to stand behind.

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