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Day 727: 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 g8 (f8·3)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to c7 (c3·6)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to g5 (g3)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c6 (b7·4)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to b7 (d7·4)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f8·4)Shuffle Rating 1510Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to g8 (g7)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e5·5)Shuffle Rating 1510Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to a8 (a7·10)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to e7 (d8·4)Shuffle Rating 1510Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: rook to d1 (f1·6)Shuffle Rating 1750Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to b8 (b7·5)Shuffle Rating 1750Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: bishop to c6 (d5)Shuffle Rating 1760Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to a4 (c4)Shuffle Rating 1760Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (c5·2)Shuffle Rating 1760Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a4 (c4)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: bishop to e6 (h3)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: queen to b8 (a8·2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: queen to h6 (f4)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 3: rook to d2Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: knight to b4Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: bishop to e6 (b3)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: bishop to f3 (h1)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (g3·3)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: rook to g7 (e7·7)Shuffle Rating 1790Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Discovered attack: pawn to d4 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1814Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: queen to a8 (f8)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: knight to b6 (d5·11)Shuffle Rating 1510Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: king to g2 (h2·3)Shuffle Rating 1470Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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