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Absolute Pin

An absolute pin holds a piece in place against its king. The pinned piece cannot move without exposing the king to check.

A bishop pins a knight to its king

The bishop on b5 attacks the knight on c6. Behind the knight, on the same diagonal, stands the king on e8. The knight cannot move, because the bishop would then attack the king.

FEN: 4k3/8/2n5/1B6/8/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . n . . . . . 6
5 . B . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . K . 1
  a b c d e f g h

A rook pins a knight to its king

The rook on e1 attacks the knight on e7. Behind the knight, on the same file, stands the king on e8. The knight is pinned and cannot move away.

FEN: 4k3/4n3/8/8/8/8/8/4R1K1 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . n . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . R . K . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • An absolute pin uses a line piece: a rook, bishop, or queen.
  • The pinned piece sits between the attacker and its king.
  • The pinned piece cannot legally move away.
  • Moving it would leave the king in check.
  • An absolute pin is a legal fact, not a choice.
  • The pinned piece can still be attacked and captured.
  • A pinned piece often cannot defend the squares it used to cover.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. What tactic is shown by the bishop on g5, the knight on f6, and the king on d8?