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
Exercises built from YOUR games (solved, missed) are part of ChessPivot Plus. Discover ChessPivot Plus
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.