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Day 488: 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: queen to c6 (a4·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to e7 (f7·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to b6 (a5)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to b2 (a3·4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to f6 (c3·5)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: rook to a6 (a2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d7 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: bishop to c6 (e4·4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to d7 (d2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: bishop to d7 (e8)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a5 (a6·3)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to f5 (b1·6)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to h8 (f6·2)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to g6 (h6·3)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to d6 (d3·7)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to c2 (a4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: king to a3 (b4·2)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Pin: queen to c6Shuffle Rating 1305Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to c2 (a4·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: knight to c6 (e7)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: pawn to e6Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to f7 (d6·3)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to f1 (f4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: king to h1 (g1·8)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: knight to e6 (d4·4)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (e3·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: queen to f7 (d7)Shuffle Rating 1502Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (c5·2)Shuffle Rating 1560Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: queen to b8 (e8)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: king to d2 (e1·15)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 489 →