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When a Sacrifice Works

A sacrifice gives up material for something else. A sacrifice works when the compensation is real and calculable.

A sacrifice for a strong square

The bishop on d5 captures the pawn on e6. The pawn on f7 recaptures. The queen captures the pawn on e6, defended by the knight on f4. White gave a bishop for two pawns and a strong attacking square.

FEN: 4k3/5p2/4p2Q/3B4/5N2/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . p . . 7
6 . . . . p . . Q 6
5 . . . B . . . . 5
4 . . . . . N . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . K . 1
  a b c d e f g h

A sacrifice that wins a queen

The bishop on b5 captures the knight on c6. The queen on d7 recaptures. The white queen on h6 captures the queen on c6. The bishop was sacrificed, and a queen was won.

FEN: 4k3/3q4/2n4Q/1B6/8/8/8/6K1 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . q . . . . 7
6 . . n . . . . Q 6
5 . B . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . . . K . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • A sacrifice trades material for an attack, a weakness, or time.
  • A good sacrifice wins the material back with interest.
  • A good sacrifice exposes the enemy king.
  • A bad sacrifice gives material for a vague hope.
  • Calculate the sacrifice to the end before you play it.
  • Count the pieces that will be captured and recaptured.
  • A sacrifice works when the opponent has no defence to the follow-up.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. Which sacrifice starts a winning sequence against the queen on d7?