Tactics: Pin

A pin is a situation brought on by an attacking piece in which a defending piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable defending piece on its other side to capture by the attacking piece.

• Only pieces that can move an indefinite number of squares in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line such as bishops, rooks and queens, can pin opposing pieces. Kings, knights, and pawns cannot pin.

The purpose of a successful Pin is to:

1. Restrict the movement of an opponent's piece.

2. Force an exchange of pieces of equal value.

3. Gain a material advantage.

Below are several diagrams of 
situations involving the pin tactic.

A green colored box represents the attacking piece(s)
A blue colored box represents the path of attack
A red colored box represents the target(s) of the attack

Diagram 1

 Bishop pin against a rook and queen