Beginner tactic · 3 of 11
The pin
A piece that cannot move, because something more valuable stands behind it.
- Learn how it worksThree examples with Capra. You play each one yourself.Three examples with CapraStart the lesson
- Practise on real puzzlesPractise on puzzles80 pin puzzles, from easy to very hard.0 of 80 solvedGo to the puzzlesGo to the puzzles
Three pieces can pin
A pin needs a piece that attacks along a line. That means a rook, a bishop or a queen.
Rook pin
The rook pins the queen to the king along the file.
Bishop pin
The bishop pins the rook to the king along the diagonal.
Queen pin
The queen pins the knight to the king. The knight cannot jump away.
Pins in numbers
Counted from the 7,194 pins in our puzzle library, all taken from real games- 1 in 40
of our puzzles turns on a pin.
- 41%
of them win the queen. No other prize is as common.
- 1 in 4
ends in checkmate. A pinned piece cannot defend its king.
Which piece makes the first move
- Rook33%
- Knight27%
- Bishop19%
- Queen17%
- Pawn4%
What the pin wins
- Queen41%
- Checkmate26%
- Rook15%
- Bishop5%
- Knight4%
Good to know
Pins: common questions
What is a pin in chess?
A pin is an attack on a piece that cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it. The pinned piece is stuck, so it is easy to attack again and it defends very little.
What is the difference between an absolute pin and a relative pin?
In an absolute pin the piece behind is the king, so the pinned piece is not allowed to move at all. In a relative pin the piece behind is a queen or a rook: moving is legal, but it loses that piece.
Which pieces can pin?
Only the pieces that attack along a line: bishops, rooks and queens. Knights, pawns and kings cannot pin.
How do I get out of a pin?
Move the piece behind off the line, put something in between, chase the pinning piece away, or capture it.