Pin puzzles
84 free pin puzzles from real games, rated 952 to 2431. Solve them on the board below; your accuracy feeds your weakness map.
What is a pin?
A pin attacks a piece that can't move (or shouldn't) because a more valuable piece stands behind it on the same line. An absolute pin is against the king, so the pinned piece legally cannot move.
Most pin tactics are about the follow-up: attacking the pinned piece again, usually with a pawn, because it can't run away.
Common mistake
Assuming a pinned piece still guards a square. Against the king, it doesn't.
How to spot it
Find enemy pieces on the same line (file, rank or diagonal) as their king or queen.
If a piece is already pinned, attack it with something cheaper. It can't escape.
Remember pinned pieces don't really defend. Count them out when checking what's protected.
Related themes
- ForkOne piece attacks two targets at once.
- SkewerA reverse pin: the big piece moves, the one behind falls.
- Discovered attackMove one piece, unleash another.
- Double checkTwo checks at once. The king must move.
- Hanging pieceSpot the free material, and don't leave your own.
Let the adaptive drill find your weakest pattern
Puzzles: Lichess puzzle database (CC0), filtered for popularity and play count. See how Weakspot works.