Is it possible, as it is with the so called 'Greek gift', sacrifice on h7 or h2, (the knight in range of g5 square, the queen must reach of h5 square or diagonal b1-h7, lack of knight on f6, etc ) to recognise the elements which constitute a successful double bishop sacrifice?
As far as I am concerned the only condition required for a double bishop sacrifice is to have two bishops! After my game had finished in our final club league match last night I watched the final ten minutes of the board one clash. The following interesting position was on the board with white to play.
Shredding the nerves of the watching players our man, thought impossibly long before playing...
[FEN "8/4n1k1/1P3bp1/1q1p4/2p5/6QP/1P2B1P1/4B2K w--01"] 1. Qc7 {offering a double bishop sacrifice} Qxb2 {which black accepts} 2. b7 Qxe2 3. b8=Q Qxe1+ 4. Kh2 {Our player has calculated that the two queens protect e5 and so prevent Be5+. Black now played Kh6 and was carved up by the two Queens in the blitz - justifying white's double bishop sac promotion combination. Sadly chess can be highly annoying as there's a neat mate available to black refuting the whole concept.} Bd4 5. Qf4 {for example} Bg1+ 6. Kh1 Bf2+ {a neat windmill type discovery move that secures the mate.} 7. Kh2 Qg1# {Very difficult to see when contemplating Qc7 in the last five minutes of a game}
Originally posted by Ragwort As far as I am concerned the only condition required for a double bishop sacrifice is to have two bishops! After my game had finished in our final club league match last night I watched the final ten minutes of the board one clash. The following interesting position was on the board with white to play.
[fen]8/4n1k1/1P3bp1/1q1p4/2p5/6QP/1P2B1P1/4B2K w--01[ ...[text shortened]... g1# {Very difficult to see when contemplating Qc7 in the last five minutes of a game} [/pgn]
amazing and although it does constitute a double bishop sacrifice its a rather unorthodox one, i was thinking more in terms of a double bishop sacrifice which opens up lines against the king, it appears to me that there must be an absence of a knight on f6 and the possibility of a rook lift. Thanks for sharing though, was pretty awesome.
I'd say Robbie was right (it happens once a year) 🙂
A double Bishop sacrifice conjurs up thoughts of Bishop sacs on h7 and g7
to expose the Black King.
If it needs to be catergorised then it most likely fits under a
'pawn promotion combination.' (Albeit a faulty one.)
But yes, this is right place for it and what a glorious post.
I've been squealing for the past 40 years that league chess hides
some fantastic games and moments but they are on the whole ignored
or relegated to the small print in Chess Magazines.
Instead we get stuffed with games from players and places we cannot
prounounce and all to often it's 15-20 moves of theory and an excuse for losing.
The net to a certain extent has helped to share these moments (thank you Raggers.)
Here:
Can White play 1.Qb1 and after 1....Qxb1 2.Qxe7+
It has a perpetualish look about it. Or Maybe not.
Black will have to do some cute wriggling to get out.
Of course I doubt if that was the intention after saccing the two Bishdogs
to sac a Queen for a perpetual. 🙂 (if indeed there is one.)
The two bishops aimed at unprotected g7 and h7 pawns
Queen gives check on the h file
Queen drives the king to the h file
And a rook lift that can successfully slide over to the h file with check
Here's an example from Rasmusson - Pulkkinen 1933
From this position, white sets up the double bishop sac
FEN
4rrk1/pbqnbppp/1p2pn2/2ppN3/2PP1P2/1PNBP3/PB2Q1PP/R4RK1 w - - 0 0"] [PlyCount "19"] [TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:1800
[FEN "4rrk1/pbqnbppp/1p2pn2/2ppN3/2PP1P2/1PNBP3/PB2Q1PP/R4RK1 w - - 0 0"] [PlyCount "19"] [TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:1800"] 1. Nb5 {Drives away the queen from the defense of the knight} Qb8 {To protect a7} 2. Nxd7 {Draws the knight away from the protection of h7} Nxd7 3. dxc5 {Opens up the diagonal for the bishop} bxc5 4. Bxh7 Kxh7 {Kh8 is met by Qh5 with a discovered check to follow} 5. Qh5 Kg8 6. Bxg7 {Threatening mate} Kxg7 7. Qg4 {Drives the king to the h file} Kh8 {7...Kf6?? 8.Qg5#} 8. Rf3 {The rook lift. An essential component for almost all king side sacs} Nf6 9. Rh3 Nh7 10. Qh5 {And black cannot stop Qxh7#}
The two bishops aimed at unprotected g7 and h7 pawns
Queen gives check on the h file
Queen drives the king to the h file
And a rook lift that can successfully slide over to the h file with check
Here's an example from Rasmusson - Pulkkinen 1933
From this position, white sets up the double bishop sac
[pgn ...[text shortened]... for almost all king side sacs} Nf6 9. Rh3 Nh7 10. Qh5 {And black cannot stop Qxh7#}[/pgn]
thankyou kneecaps its exactly what I was looking for, amazing.
I thought the most famous double bishop sac was Lasker v Bauer Amsterdam 1889 which is so well known it even has a wikipedia article on it. All the elements kneecaps has itemised are present. Sorry I don't have a pgn version to hand that I can post this evening.
[FEN "1Q6/2Q1n1k1/6p1/3p4/2pb4/7P/6PK/4q3 w - - 0 1"] {If} 1. Qb1 Be5+ {looks very nasty} 2. Qxe5 Qxe5 {must be a winning advantage for black with the extra knight and two passed pawns}
I agree about club league chess. It is interesting to find out what the players a little bit stronger than I are seeing and not seeing as that may be an easier (and more relevant) gap to bridge. Of course in this case I had the benefit of white's comments about his sacrifice during the drive home!
I thought the most famous double bishop sac was Lasker v Bauer Amsterdam 1889 which is so well known it even has a wikipedia article on it. All the elements kneecaps has itemised are present. Sorry I don't have a pgn version to hand that I can post this evening.
Yup, that's a simple win. I was clutching at straws.
A few sleepless nights for the Black player till the next game.
Did the match hinge on that result.?
Hi Robbie.
The seeds appear to be, two Bishops aiming at a naked castled King.
(Naked as in no Knight on f6/f3) The Queen must be able to reach the
h-file with a check and a Rook(s) lift in the position.
I thought the most famous double bishop sac was Lasker v Bauer Amsterdam 1889 which is so well known it even has a wikipedia article on it. All the elements kneecaps has itemised are present. Sorry I don't have a pgn version to hand that I can post this evening.
Hi GP,
[pgn]
[FEN "1Q6/2Q1n1k1/6p1/3p4/2pb4/7P/6PK/4q3 w - - 0 1"]
{If} 1. ...[text shortened]... n this case I had the benefit of white's comments about his sacrifice during the drive home!
exactly, his delusions have manifested themselves to the extent that not content with harbouring the opinion that he is a chess master, he terms himself now, The instructor.
05 May '13 17:28
Conditions for double bishop sacrifice
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