Concepts · Attacking Ideas

Sacrifice

Material given up for something the board can verify — an attack, activity, a passed pawn. A sacrifice is not a gamble when the compensation can be counted.

Key ideas

The compensation must be concrete
The engine’s verdict separates a sacrifice from a blunder
A positional sacrifice pays back slowly

Watch

Games that teach sacrifice

1 game

Grünfeld DefenceD9210:39

Donald Byrne vs Robert James Fischer — Third Rosenwald Trophy

Donald Byrne vs Robert James Fischer

One mistake hands over the initiative completely, and it never comes back. Donald Byrne against Robert James Fischer ends in checkmate, after bold play sets up a relentless king hunt.

Punishing a Mistake
Forcing Sequence
Sacrifice
Mating Attack

Third Rosenwald Trophy17 Oct 19560-1