Paris · 1750
Legall’s Mate
Legall de Kermeur vs. Saint Brie — A pinned knight jumps anyway, the queen is offered, and three minor pieces mate on move seven.
LevelBeginnerElo600–800ThemePinned knight tacticMoves7
8
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1
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a
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Moves · tap to jump
0/130/13
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Starting position
Ready
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Main lesson
A pin is only real if moving the piece actually loses.
What your student should learn
- A pin only holds if moving the piece really loses.
- Check what a pinned piece uncovers before trusting the pin.
- Three minor pieces can mate a king in the centre.
- Bd6 early can walk straight into this trap.
Mini tournament checklist
- ✓ Is the piece I am pinning actually stuck?
- ✓ What happens if it moves anyway?
- ✓ Am I bringing my bishop out early on b4 or g4 without a plan?
- ✓ Is my king still able to castle?
Run through this list before you start an attack in a real game. Mostly yes means look for tactics; otherwise improve one more piece first.
Full move list
The Pin On f3
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Queen Sacrifice
5.
Mate With Three Minor Pieces
6.
7.
Note: The oldest famous trap in chess, and still the fastest way to teach pins.