Chess Basics: Pin and Win

Pins are a common chess tactic that immobilize pieces, leaving them unable to attack or defend. In this lesson, we’ll explore how pins can be used to win material. 

A Winning Pin

White has just moved their bishop to the b5 square, pinning the Black queen to the king in an absolute pin (a pin on a piece that cannot move out of the path of attack without exposing the king behind it to a check). There is nothing Black can do to stop their queen from being captured–White will take it with the bishop on the next turn. 

Taking Advantage With Tactics

In the example below, White is able to take advantage of Black’s failure to castle early by using a pin to win material:

White has protected their king by castling on the fifth move, while Black’s king still sits in the center of the board–a dangerous place for a king to be. After Black’s queen captures the pawn on e4, White moves their rook to e1, creating another devastating absolute pin that will cost Black their queen.