Pins are Tough to Deal With, But You Can....Sometimes

Menchik – Alatortsev, Moscow, 1935

1. Nf3 d5
2. d4 Nf6
3. c4 c6
4. cd cd
5. Nc3 Nc6
6. Bf4 a6
7. e3 Bf5
8. Rc1 Rc1
9. Bd3 Bxd3
10. Qd3 e6
11. O-O Be7
12. h3 O-O
13. Rfd1 Na5
14. Ne5 Nb5
15. Qe2 Qa5
16. Nd3 b5
17. Nc5 Bxc5
18. dc Rxc5
19. b3 Rfc8
20. bc Rxc4
Black has established a pin on White’s knight. If it moves, White loses a rook.

If there was no a2 pawn, White could defend with Na2.

If there was no e3 pawn, White could play Nb1, and the bishop picks up the defense of the rook.

White has to find the ingenious idea to defend against this pin. See if you can find it. Answer at the bottom of this article.

Meanwhile, the rest of the game went like this:

21. e4? Rxc3
22. Bd2? Qxa2

Walking into yet another pin! White resigns after 23. Rxc3, Rxc3 24. ed, Nxd5 25. Qg4, Rc4 26. Qg3, Rc8 27. Be3, Qb3! Setting pin #3.

Ok, did you find the proper defense?







Here it is:
21. Be5 Nd7
22. Nxd5 Rxc1
23. Ne7+ Kf8
24. Nxc8 Rxc8
25. Bb2
or
21. Be5 Nd7
22. Nxd5 ed
23. Qg4 Nxe5
24. Qxc8+!

So, again - the message is - NEVER give up!