The Greek Gift: King Hunt (2)

The Greek Gift:  King Hunt part 2 By, Ms Jessica Martin (aka BoundingOwl)

Good day friends!  So, we have been discussing the sneaky Greek destruction technique:  the bishop sacrifice on h7.

Here is what you need for this trick to work:

1.  You need a quick knight check on g5.  (Don't give them a chance to come back!)

2.  Your queen needs an easy "in", preferably along the white diagonal d1-h5.

3.  You would like to have another piece available to help in the attack:  a pawn, a bishop, a rook...

Basically, if you are going to sacrifice, you have to be ready to throw the whole army at your opponent.  (Not literally.  Please don't *actually* throw anything at them.)

This is not a real position.  It's an example of what you would like to have for the Greek Gift to be devastating (super terrible).

 

 

Wheeeee!

 

So what if they try to run out into the open?  The crazy king march.  King to h6, say.

 

 

Not so good, eh?  For the king retreating to h8 or g8 please look back at The Greek Gift Part 1!

And finally, what if the king goes to g6?!  You have several good moves here.  Let's try Qg4.

 

 

You can try other attacking moves in Greek Gift positions, as long as they are forcing moves.  So consider candidate moves like Qd3+ and h4, too.  Remember, you need lots of pieces for the attack!  Don't have a party where only the knight dances around in the center looking silly; invite everyone!

Don't forget you have to sacrifice a bishop first, so you are down material.  You can't just sit back, cross your arms and sniff, "All done!"  Attack, attack, attack!

Off with her head!!

The Greek Gift is an excellent sacrifice in a lot of situations.  It can arise out of the French Defense: Advanced variation, among other openings you may know.  It may not always lead to immediate checkmate, but it will make your opponent tremble in fear!  Try it in your next game!

Adieu, and how did you do on last week's quiz?