TODAYS LESSON: PINS

Two big pieces on a line? Look out! it's pinning (or hurdle) time!

After your pin a piece, attack it!

Never underestimate the power of the pin. Even a pawn that's pinned can be a problem.

Find White's best next two moves.

NEXT TOURAMENT

Nov 4 Highview Middle School in  New Brighton. This is a grade-level team tournament. Team score is the total points of the top 3 players.

OPENING OF THE WEEK - KING'S GAMBIT

How about an opening for White. A gambit is when you give away a pawn to gain a positional advantage. You often try to regain the pawn later. Here White gambits the f pawn.  White will eventually try for Bxf4 and o-o (castling kingside). The light bishop, knight, rook and queen will all put pressure on f7.

Kings Gambit accepted 

1.e4.    e5

2.f4.    exf4

3. Nf3

Kings Gambit declined

1.e4.    e5

2.f4.    d5 (other good choices were Bc5 or Nc6)

RATINGS

Cavan	797
Simon	600
Thomas	565
Q	517
Alex	275
Jack	227
Soren	164
Audrey	163
Santi	158
Hunter	137
Eldrych	125
Harrison	125
William	121

PUZZLE SOLUTION

1.Rg1 (pin it) f5  2.f3 then attack it!