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Day 449: Relative pin

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. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (c3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: king to e2 (d1·5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to d6 (b5·5)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: king to g1 (f1·8)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to d4 (e3·4)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (b2·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: knight to f7 (e5·5)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: king to a1 (b1·5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to g6 (h5·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: king to f1 (e1·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: queen to c4 (f1)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: pawn to g3Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: bishop to b5 (e2)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to d5 (e5·4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b4 (c2·6)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: knight to d7 (c5·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: bishop to f5 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: rook to e2Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to e6 (b3·2)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (g3·2)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6 (b2·6)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to h6 (h5·2)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to g6 (e4·2)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: knight to e6 (c5·2)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to c6 (c1)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 1: rook to e4 (e6)Shuffle Rating 1380Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: knight to h6 (f7·3)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 2: discovered attack on g2Shuffle Rating 1456Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e1·3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g8 (g7)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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