rules, tactics, strategies and history

Sacrifice Example VIII

In the position of below there is also a possibility of a sacrifice with the view to pin a piece that defends a certain threat as long as it is mobile. White plays (1) Q-d5, and Black dares not take White's Knight with its Queen for White would continue (2) Qxf7+, Rxf7; (3) R-e8+/-.

What Black could try is (1) Kt-h6.

								8
								7
								6
								5
								4
								3
								2
								1
a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

 The Pawn f7 would then be three times attacked and three times protected so that White cannot take him as now the pin of the Rook resulting from Ktxf7, Ktxf7; Qxf7, Rxf7 does not lead to anything, the square e8 being protected by the Queen. However, White can force the win by (2) Ra1- e1, threatening again the sacrifice of f7, as he now controls the square e8 twice. If Black replies (2) ..., Q-f6, protecting f7 for the fourth time and thereby making impossible White's sacrifice on that point, White continues with (3) R-e8. This threatens Rxf8+, Kxf8; Ktxh7+ winning the Queen. Black cannot defend himself with Q-g6 on account of (4) B-d3 followed by Bxh7+ and Rxf8, etc., nor can he play (3) ..., Q-f4 on account of P-g3 followed by Qxd6, attacking the defenseless Rook f8.