LaviChess

The pin: when a piece can't move

A pin is when a piece can't move, or shouldn't, because a more valuable piece stands behind it. The pin is the favorite weapon of the bishop and the rook.

What is a pin?

A pin happens when a piece stands in the way between an attacking piece and a more valuable piece behind it. The front piece is stuck as if nailed down: if it moves, the piece behind falls. Only pieces that move far in straight lines can pin: the bishop, the rook and the queen.

Absolute and relative pins

If it is the king that stands behind, the pin is called absolute. Then the pinned piece may not move at all, because that would put its own king in check. If something else stands behind, for example the queen or a rook, the pin is called relative. Then moving is allowed, but it costs.

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An absolute pin: the knight on c6 may not move at all, because the bishop on b5 would then be giving check to the king on e8.
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A relative pin: the knight on f6 may move, but then the bishop on g5 captures the queen on d8.

Pin and win

A pinned piece makes an easy target. It can't get away, so if you attack it once more, preferably with a pawn, it is often lost. And sometimes the pin is enough on its own, if what is stuck is worth more than what pins it.

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White to move. Pin Black's queen and win her.

Good to know

A pinned piece still attacks squares. It may not move, but the opponent's king still may not step where the pinned piece attacks, because the king would then be in check. The rules of chess say so explicitly.

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The bishop on e6 is pinned and may not move. But it still attacks c4, so White's king may not go there.

How to get out of a pin

  • Move what stands behind. Move the king or the queen off the line, and the pin is gone.
  • Put something in between, so that the pinned piece gets another piece in front of it.
  • Chase away the pinning piece. A pawn move against the bishop is often the simplest.
  • Protect the pinned piece one extra time, so that it isn't lost if it is attacked.

The opposite of the pin is the skewer, where the valuable piece stands in front. Practice with pin puzzles.

Frequently asked questions

What is a pin in chess?

A pin is when a piece stands between an attacking piece and a more valuable piece behind it. If the pinned piece moves, the piece behind can be captured.

What is the difference between an absolute and a relative pin?

In an absolute pin the king stands behind, and then moving the pinned piece is against the rules. In a relative pin something else stands behind, for example the queen. Then the piece may move, but it costs.

What is the difference between a pin and a skewer?

In a pin the less valuable piece stands in front. In a skewer the more valuable piece stands in front and has to move, so that the piece behind it can be captured.

Updated October 31, 2026