Pin conceded
And you — how often have you allowed it?
Import your games: ChessPivot flags every time this pattern cost you material, and trains you to fix it.
What is it?
An allowed pin is when your opponent immobilises one of your pieces: it can no longer move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it on the same line — often your king (absolute pin) or your queen. The pinned piece loses its mobility and its defensive value.
How it happens
A pin comes from a bishop, rook or queen posted on a file, rank or diagonal that runs through two of your aligned pieces. The most common case: a bishop on b5 or g5 pinning your knight against your king or queen. You allow it by developing a piece in front of your king with no escape square, or by letting a diagonal open towards it.
How to avoid it
Before placing a piece, look at what sits behind it on the same line: if it’s your king or queen, the piece is pinnable. Prepare an answer — a pawn that chases the pinning piece, an interposition, or moving the valuable piece out of the way first.
Train this motif
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Frequently asked
- Absolute or relative pin — what’s the difference?
- It’s absolute when the piece behind is the king: the pinned piece then legally cannot move. It’s relative when it’s another piece (queen, rook): moving stays legal but loses material.
- How do I break out of a pin?
- Chase the pinning piece with a pawn, interpose a piece between the two, or move the valuable piece behind out of the way first to free the pinned piece.