What are pin and skewer chess tactics?
Pins, pin, and Skewer are chess tactics that involve attacking a piece that is protecting another piece. A pin is when a piece is attacking a piece that is protecting a more valuable piece, such as a queen or a rook, and it cannot move without exposing the more valuable piece to attack. A skewer is when a piece is attacking a piece that is protecting another piece, and if the protecting piece moves, the other piece will be exposed to attack.
Back-rank pin
One of the most famous examples of a pin is the “Back-Rank Pin” which is a tactic that can be achieved by attacking the rook or queen that is protecting the king. This can be done by placing a rook or queen on the same rank as the king, and attacking the rook or queen that is protecting the king.
Skewer chess tactic
A skewer is a tactic that can be achieved by attacking the queen or rook that is protecting a less valuable piece, such as a knight or a bishop. This can be done by placing a queen or rook on the same rank or file as the less valuable piece, and attacking the queen or rook that is protecting the less valuable piece.
How to prevent pins and skewers?
To prevent pins and skewers, players should also try to create a passed pawn, or create a decisive advantage, which can force the opponent to trade pieces and end the pin or skewer.