What is Pin in chess?
A piece can't move because doing so would expose a more valuable piece behind it.
An absolute pin is against the king (moving is illegal). A relative pin is against a more valuable piece, where moving is legal but loses material.
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- SkewerLike a pin in reverse: a valuable piece is attacked and must move, exposing a piece behind it.
- Discovered attackMoving one piece unveils an attack from another piece behind it.
- Double checkTwo pieces give check at the same time via a discovered attack.
- Double attackOne move creates two threats that the opponent cannot both stop.
- Zwischenzug (in-between move)An unexpected move inserted before the 'expected' recapture.
- DeflectionForcing a defending piece away from the square or piece it protects.