Defend against the pin : Chess basics
Hello everyone! In the last blog, I discussed mainly defending against the double attack.
In this blog, I am going to explain the basic ideas on defedning against the Pin.
We generally consider the pin as an attacking weapon only. In this blog, we will examine the different ways in which we can take defensive measures against a pin.
Defensive options
There is nothing new. It is going to be once again those basic forms of defenses—capturing, protecting, moving away, or interposing—that crop up in this blog.
Capturing pieces that are imposing pins can sometimes cost material. In the positions to play to a finish, you can prove that Black wins the pawn ending.
Capture (exchange) or interpose?
Black has two ways to defend against the pin. He can swap off the pinning bishop or interpose with his own bishop.
Interposing
Two examples of interposing speak for themselves.
The front piece protects the back piece
The rook is pinning the queen against the important d8-square. That doesn't matter to the defending side. The queen can simply protect d8.
Counter-attack and protecting
In this position, White has to exert himself a bit more.
Counter-pin
Pinning the piece, which is pinning in its turn, is effective. Losing a piece is not as bad as losing a queen.
Counter-attack: threatening mate
These are all simple examples. White saves himself by counter-attacking a square. White could also have castled short!
Unusual defence required
Think up something crafty!
Summing up
There are many ways to defend against a pin. Simple means include capturing and interposing. Then, you are no longer bothered by the piece that was pinning.
Moving away from the front or the back piece also works. We often see that the front piece can protect the back piece.
A counter-attack can target the king, material or a square. Another option is to pin the piece, which is pinning your piece.
I am preparing the sets of exercises in PGN format and will upload them soon to give instructive exercises on defending against the pin and double attack both!
Thank you for reading my blog. Have a great day!
