Pins and skewers in chess
A pin stops a piece moving because something more valuable is behind it. A skewer is the reverse. Learn both with puzzles. Winning material · lesson 3 of 3.
The lesson in words
A pin: the bishop attacks the knight, and behind the knight is the king. The knight can’t move, because that would expose the king to check.
A pinned piece is a sitting duck. Attack it again!
Try it: Attack the pinned knight with a pawn.
A skewer is a pin in reverse: you attack the more valuable piece first. When it moves, you take the piece behind it.
The king and queen are on the same row.
Try it: Skewer the king and queen.
Pins and skewers come from bishops, rooks and queens on long lines. Next: checkmate patterns.