Pins against the king is lesson 2 of 8 in Pins and skewers, a tactics course suited to players rated around 1400 (club players). A piece pinned to its king cannot move at all. Pile up on it, or attack it with a pawn, and it falls. It has 7 interactive exercises: 7 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
Black to move: use a pin to win material. (5 positions)
White to move: use a pin to win material. (2 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: use a pin to win material. 1...Bxh4 2.Ke2 Bxg3. The rook on g3 was pinned to the king by the bishop on h4 and could not get away. You win the rook on g3 and come out 6 points ahead.
Black to move: use a pin to win material. 1...Bxb4 2.Qxb4 Nxb4. The queen on c3 was pinned to the king by the bishop on b4 and could not get away. You come out 6 points ahead in material.
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