Tactics · Lesson 2 of 7 · 2 min read
What Is a Pin in Chess?
By James Dulay · Updated 14 November 2026
A pin is an attack on a piece that cannot move away without exposing a more valuable piece behind it. Only pieces that attack along lines can pin: bishops, rooks and queens.
Try it in 3DAbsolute pins
When the piece behind is the king, the pin is absolute: moving the pinned piece would expose the king to check, so it is illegal. The knight on c6 here cannot move at all.
Relative pins
When the piece behind is something other than the king, the pin is relative. Here the bishop on g5 pins the black knight to the queen. The knight may legally move, but then the bishop would capture the queen.
Using and breaking pins
A pinned piece is a poor defender: it may look like it protects something, but it cannot move to do so. Attack a pinned piece with more pieces, such as a pawn, to win it.
To escape a pin, move the piece behind it out of the line, put another piece in between, or attack the pinning piece. Try the interactive pin lesson to practise.
Interactive lesson
Practise the pin on a 3D board
Pawnorama walks you through this lesson step by step. You make every move yourself, with hints when you need them. Free, no account needed.
Start the lessonCommon questions
Can a pinned piece move?
An absolutely pinned piece can only move along the line of the pin, if at all. A relatively pinned piece can move legally, but usually at a cost.
What is the difference between a pin and a skewer?
In a pin the less valuable piece is in front. In a skewer the more valuable piece is in front and must move, exposing the piece behind it.