Counterattack and Counter-Pin

A counterattack answers an attack with an attack of your own. A counter-pin answers a pin with a pin of your own.

A counter-pin in one position

The bishop on b5 pins the knight on c6 to the king on e8. The bishop on a5 pins the knight on b4 to the king on e1. Each side has a pin, so neither pinned piece can move freely.

FEN: 4k3/8/2n5/bB6/1N6/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

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

A counterattack with a knight

The pawn on g4 attacks the knight on f3. Instead of retreating, the knight jumps to e5 and attacks the pawn on g4. The king moves to e7, and the knight captures the pawn on g4.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/6p1/5N2/8/6K1 w - - 0 1

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

Key points

A counterattack ignores the threat and creates a bigger one.
A counterattack often starts with a check.
A counterattack works when your threat is stronger than theirs.
A counter-pin pins the piece that is pinning you.
A counter-pin can free your pinned piece.
A counter-pin turns a one-sided pin into a double pin.
Counterattacks need careful thinking, because both sides are attacking.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

What tactic is shown when each side pins the other's knight?

Counter-pin Fork Skewer Discovered attack