What Is a Pin in Chess? Explained for Kids

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A pin is when a piece cannot move, or should not move, because a more valuable piece stands behind it on the same line. If it moved out of the way, the piece behind it would be attacked.

Two kinds of pin

• Absolute pin: the piece behind is the king. Then the pinned piece is not allowed to move at all, because moving it would put its own king in check. In the diagram above, the bishop on b5 pins the black knight on c6 to the king on e8, so the knight cannot move.
• Relative pin: the piece behind is something valuable, such as the queen or a rook. The pinned piece is allowed to move, but if it does, the piece behind it is lost.

Which pieces can pin?

Only pieces that move in long lines: the bishop, the rook and the queen. Knights, pawns and kings cannot pin.

How to use a pin

• Attack the pinned piece again. It cannot run away, so bring another piece to attack it, for example a pawn.
• Remember it cannot defend. An absolutely pinned piece does not really protect anything, because it is not allowed to move.

How to escape a pin

• Move the valuable piece behind out of the line, so the pin disappears.
• Put another piece in between.
• Attack the pinning piece, or capture it.

Pin or skewer?

They look similar. In a pin, the less valuable piece is in front. In a skewer, the more valuable piece is in front, and when it moves away, the one behind it is captured.

For parents

A simple way to explain it: "The knight can't move, because if it does, the bishop can see the king." Let your child find the line between the pinning piece and the king with a finger.