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The Pinned Defender

Part of the Core Motifs section of Coddy's Tactics & Checkmates journey. Lesson 7 of 35.

A pinned piece guards nothing: what it protects, take. Pinned to the king, the guard may not move at all; pinned to the queen, it may, and pays nine points if it does. Two exceptions worth knowing: a pinned piece still keeps a king out of the squares it attacks, and it may leave the pin with check.

Try it yourselfMedium
Position 1 of 7
WatchThe rook is guarded by a pinned knight. Watch.
8a7b6c5d4e3f2g1h
The starting position.
0 / 2
All 7 positions

All lessons in Core Motifs

1The Fork

Forks with CheckThe Knight's Fork SquaresPawn and King ForksPuzzles: ForksRecap: The Fork

4Discovered Attack

The Loaded GunDiscovered CheckLoading the GunPuzzles: DiscoveriesRecap: Discovered Attack

7Tactic or Not?

Looks Free, Isn'tThe Tactic That Isn'tTactic or Not?Puzzles: Mixed MotifsRecap: Core Motifs

2The Pin

Pile Up on the PinThe Pinned DefenderUnpinning with TempoPuzzles: PinsRecap: The Pin

5Double Check

Two Checks at OnceDouble Check MatesBuilding the Double CheckPuzzles: Double ChecksRecap: Double Check

3The Skewer

Skewer Through the KingSkewering the QueenDrive Him onto the LinePuzzles: SkewersRecap: The Skewer

6Trapped Pieces

No Way HomeClosing the NetThe Greedy PiecePuzzles: Trapped PiecesRecap: Trapped Pieces