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Day 676: 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: knight to h7 (g5)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to g4 (e2·6)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: pawn to c4 (d3·7)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to g8 (c8)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to b5 (b4·5)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (e6·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to b6 (a5·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (e2·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to b5 (c4·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: queen to d7 (b5)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Mate in 3: pawn to d6Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: rook to g7 (h7)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: queen to g6 (e4·2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: rook to f8 (f2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to h8 (g7·3)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to g1 (d1)Shuffle Rating 1543Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e1 (f1·7)Shuffle Rating 1470Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (h6·8)Shuffle Rating 1420Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (c2·6)Shuffle Rating 1470Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 1: queen to h2 (e5·3)Shuffle Rating 1421Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e1 (f1·8)Shuffle Rating 1470Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: deflection on e8Shuffle Rating 1422Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to a2 (b1·40)Shuffle Rating 1470Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: pin on g6 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1432Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1·18)Shuffle Rating 1470Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 3: pawn to c5 (b4)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: bishop to e4 (f5·4)Shuffle Rating 1750Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Deflection: rook to c8Shuffle Rating 1803Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (h5·8)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: pawn to c5 (c4·11)Shuffle Rating 1420Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 677 →