What Do You Think of the h7 Sacrifice?

Chessorb Classic, Issue #129 -- GOTM #99

You've heard of the classic Bishop sacrifice on h7. You give up the cleric to break open the King's defensive stronghold. It's a well known motif. Rooks have also been known to be sacrificed on the h-file.

Sometimes you like your prospects so much, your impending attack feels so powerful, that you are comfortable to kamikaze your Rook. If you're giving up a Bishop you need a winning attack in return or at least some longterm initiative and/or positional edges. If you're sacking a Rook, you probably need a nailed on mating attack from it.

It's important to have your other pieces at the ready to flood in behind the sacrificing piece. This tactic works best against opponents who haven't quite managed to develop quickly enough. Then the race is on and you have to secure the victory before your adversary can bring his pieces into the game.

We have a really nice instance of the Rook sac on h7 this month. This game was played in London in 1862. The first World Champion William Steinitz had the White pieces and Augustus Mongredian had Black.

Steinitz, William - Mongredian, Augustus [B01]

P.S.
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Comments, ideas, feedback? I'd be stoked to hear from you.

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See you next month.

Ken

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