Hello everyone! In the last blog, I discussed mainly defending against the double attack.
In this blog, I am going to explain the basic ideas on defending against the Pin.
We generally consider the pin as an attacking weapon only. In this blog, we will examine the different ways in which we can take defensive measures against a pin.
Defensive options
There is nothing new. It is going to be once again those basic forms of defenses—capturing, protecting, moving away, or interposing—that crop up in this blog.
Capturing pieces that are imposing pins can sometimes cost material. In the positions to play to a finish, you can prove that Black wins the pawn ending.
Capture (exchange) or interpose?
Black has two ways to defend against the pin. He can swap off the pinning bishop or interpose with his own bishop.
Exchanging is correct here
1. … Be4-d3+
Interposing leads to a lost pawn ending. 1. … Be4-c6 2. Rc1xc6 b7xc6 3. Bb5xc6
2. Bb5xd3 Rd7xd3
Now, Black is better.
Capturing a protecting piece
The piece which is pinned is protected. Now, we shall see a nice trick.
1. … Nd4xf3+
2. Be4xf3 Qc6xf3
The pin has disappeared.
Interposing
Two examples of interposing speak for themselves.
The back piece protects the front piece
Protecting can sometimes be quite simple. The rook (the back piece) is protecting the knight (the front piece).
1. Ra2-a5
The other move which protects is not as good: 1. Ra2-d2 Bg7-h6.
The front piece protects the back piece
The form in the diagram is more frequent. The front piece moves away and protects the back piece. That only makes sense if the back piece is not worth more than the piece which is pinning.
1. Bd5-f3
The front piece protects the back piece
If the piece which is pinning is also unprotected, that increases the options for the defending side!
The front piece protects the back piece
Paying attention is always useful.
1. Nd4-e2
The correct move. White cannot save his a-pawn. Black captures with a check. 1. Nd4-b5 Be8xb5+.
The front piece protects the back piece
The rook is pinning the queen against the important d8-square. That doesn’t matter to the defending side. The queen can simply protect d8.
Chasing away the pinning piece
White can chase away the queen, which is enforcing the pin.
1. Rf1-e1
Victorious counter-attack
A slight change to the position (king to b8) gives White the opportunity to win with a counter-attack.
1. Nd4-c6+ Bd7xc6
2. Bb2xe5+
Counter-attack
The counter-attack is a good weapon against a pin. In this position, the back piece attacks the king. The rook is then protected, and the pinned piece can move.
1. Rd2-g2+
Counter-attack and protecting
In this position, White has to exert himself a bit more.
The front piece protects the back piece
1. Rd2-g2+ Kg7-f6
2. Nc2-e3
White does not lose any material.
Counter-pin
Pinning the piece, which is pinning in its turn, is effective. Losing a piece is not as bad as losing a queen.
Counter-attack: threatening mate
These are all simple examples. White saves himself by counter-attacking a square. White could also have castled short!
Unusual defence required
Think up something crafty!
Salvation by stalemate
White saves himself in an unusual way.
Summing up
There are many ways to defend against a pin. Simple means include capturing and interposing. Then, you are no longer bothered by the piece that was pinning.
Moving away from the front or the back piece also works. We often see that the front piece can protect the back piece.
A counter-attack can target the king, material or a square. Another option is to pin the piece, which is pinning your piece.
I am preparing the sets of exercises in PGN format and will upload them soon to give instructive exercises on defending against the pin and double attack both!
Thank you for reading my blog. Have a great day!
