Chess Pin Puzzles
Use a pin to win material, or exploit a piece that cannot move. Every position comes from a real game.
What is a pin puzzle?
A pin puzzle is built around a piece that cannot move, or should not move, 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. A relative pin is against a queen or rook, so moving it loses material. New to the idea? Read the pin lesson first, then come back to practise.
The 52 puzzles on this page
Every position is taken from a real game in the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Puzzle ratings range from 781 to 2372, with a median of 1843. Ratings describe how hard the puzzle is, not your playing strength.
| Group | Puzzles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 7 | 13% |
| Intermediate | 16 | 31% |
| Advanced | 29 | 56% |
| Opening | 1 | 2% |
| Middlegame | 34 | 65% |
| Endgame | 17 | 33% |
How to solve pin puzzles
- Look along every file, rank and diagonal from your rooks, bishops and queen to the enemy king and queen.
- Once a piece is pinned, attack it again: it cannot run away.
- A pinned piece does not really defend anything. Check what it is supposed to guard.
- When you are pinned, consider breaking the pin with a counter-attack or by blocking the line.
Use a hint only after you have a candidate move. If you needed the solution, retry the puzzle later from memory; that is when the pattern sticks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pin in chess?
A pin is when a piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it on the same line. Against the king the pin is absolute and the piece cannot legally move.
What is the difference between a pin and a skewer?
In a pin the less valuable piece is in front. In a skewer the more valuable piece is in front, so it must move and the piece behind it is lost.
Which pieces can pin?
Only line pieces: the bishop, rook and queen. Knights, pawns and kings cannot pin.
More puzzles
Fork puzzles · Mate in 3 puzzles · Skewer puzzles · Discovered attack puzzles · Sacrifice puzzles · Deflection puzzles · Mate in 2 · Hard puzzles · All 720 puzzles. Found a tactic in your own game? Check it on the analysis board.