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Can a Pinned Piece Give Check? Absolute and Relative Pins Explained
Trace three things: an attacker, a piece in front and a target behind. If the target is the king, it is an absolute pin. If it is another valuable piece, it is a relative pin.[1][2]
A shield can move along its line
In the first diagram, White’s rook on e2 shields the king on e1 from a black rook on e8. White moves next. Sliding to d2 would expose the king, so it is illegal.[1]
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Re3 keeps the shield in place. Rxe8+ captures the attacker and gives check to Black’s king on h8. Those moves are alternatives. A pin does not always freeze a piece completely.
Legal does not mean wise
In the second position, White’s knight on e2 shields the queen on e1. The white king is safely on h1. Nf4 is legal, but Black can answer Rxe1+, taking the queen.
That is the risk of a relative pin. Before moving, look at what you uncover and what the opponent can do in reply.
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Attacks still count
In the third diagram, Black’s knight on e7 is pinned to the king on e8 by White’s rook. Yet that knight attacks White’s king on d5. White is in check and can answer Kd6.[1]
Do not walk a king onto an attacked square just because the attacker is pinned. King safety counts those attacks too.[1]
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Rebuild one diagram with a partner. Explain why a move is legal before deciding whether it is good. These are practice setups, not recorded historical games.
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