Okay; here's the situation: You're playing a game that means nothing other than a few ratings points. You're even in material but you think you have an ever-so-slight positional advantage. Either way it's still anyone's game.
You have a chance to sacrifice a piece to blow open your opponent's castled king side pawn structure. You have calculated it and honestly can't tell if the sac is sound. There are too many variations. You think you might be able to generate a big attack on his king but you're just not sure.
Do you:
a) Play it safe and try to nurse your tiny advantage?
OR
b) Do the fun thing and let it all hang out. Sac the piece, blow up everything and let come what may. After all, you only live once.
Does making sacrifices that you're not sure lead to bad chess habits?
Originally posted by sh76Hmmm..... look at the FAQ. We are not allowed to comment games in progress. However, after you finish your game post it here and I am sure someone will give you some ideas.
Okay; here's the situation: You're playing a game that means nothing other than a few ratings points. You're even in material but you think you have an ever-so-slight positional advantage. Either way it's still anyone's game.
You have a chance to sacrifice a piece to blow open your opponent's castled king side pawn structure. You have calculated it and hones nly live once.
Does making sacrifices that you're not sure lead to bad chess habits?
EDIT : stupid me, I somehow thought that you were asking for the game in progress.
Do it but if your opponents has 10 possible replies with only one succesful then do not do it. Do not gamble. If you still think you have the edge after his best reply (or replies) go for it !
Let us consult scripture.
Had this been a simultaneous display, I would have decided that my oppoment had simply overlooked 6 Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qh5+, when, against his will, the black king is forced to "go for a walk."
But Larsen could not have overlooked this, and I began examining possible variations. My intuition insistently kept telling me that the sacrifice had to be correct, but I decided to calculate everything "as far as mate", spent some 50 minutes, but then in one of the innumerable variations I found something resembling a defence, and... rejected the sacrifice. This was a betrayal of myself, I saved the game only by a miracle after the adjournment, and in general I barely, in a "war of nerves", won the match.
Of course, I should have begun the attack without thinking..."
Mikhail Tal & Iakov Damsky, Attack with Mikhail Tal, page... ahem... page 1.
Amen.
Originally posted by sh76As being one of the audience I would certainly like you to sac and play it out.
Okay; here's the situation: You're playing a game that means nothing other than a few ratings points. You're even in material but you think you have an ever-so-slight positional advantage. Either way it's still anyone's game.
You have a chance to sacrifice a piece to blow open your opponent's castled king side pawn structure. You have calculated it and hones ...[text shortened]... nly live once.
Does making sacrifices that you're not sure lead to bad chess habits?
But If I were the player myself... well... depends of the state of mind of that very moment. Do I feel curious how it will turn out? Then I go for it. Do I want a long boring game, then I play safe.
But I'll ultimately give the standard answer - it depend of the position at hand.
Originally posted by ivan2908Of course I meant it as a theoretical question only.
Hmmm..... look at the FAQ. We are not allowed to comment games in progress. However, after you finish your game post it here and I am sure someone will give you some ideas.
EDIT : stupid me, I somehow thought that you were asking for the game in progress.
Do it but if your opponents has 10 possible replies with only one succesful then do not do it. Do not gamble. If you still think you have the edge after his best reply (or replies) go for it !
Originally posted by sh76A link to a pdf file that explains sacrifices and provides annotated examples.
Of course I meant it as a theoretical question only.
http://www.markalowery.net/Chess/Sacrifices_Combinations/Sacrificing_in_Chess/Sacrificing_in_Chess.pdf
This seems very nice and helpful. In addition, it's free 🙂
Originally posted by sh76I wouldn't do it unless I will be at a distinct disadvantage if I don't try it. My opponent is bound to make a mistake somewhere anyway.
Okay; here's the situation: You're playing a game that means nothing other than a few ratings points. You're even in material but you think you have an ever-so-slight positional advantage. Either way it's still anyone's game.
You have a chance to sacrifice a piece to blow open your opponent's castled king side pawn structure. You have calculated it and hones ...[text shortened]... nly live once.
Does making sacrifices that you're not sure lead to bad chess habits?
If I want to take chances I'll play poker or roulette or something.
Originally posted by sh76The answer to your question can be found in another question: Why do you play chess? To hoard rating points, or to learn and have fun? 🙂
Okay; here's the situation: You're playing a game that means nothing other than a few ratings points. You're even in material but you think you have an ever-so-slight positional advantage. Either way it's still anyone's game.
You have a chance to sacrifice a piece to blow open your opponent's castled king side pawn structure. You have calculated it and hones ...[text shortened]... nly live once.
Does making sacrifices that you're not sure lead to bad chess habits?
OTB: Go for it. Later if you see it's not working out, flip the board and head for the bar.
RHP: Go for it. Later if you see it's not working out, accuse your opponent of cheating, trash the game, and head for the bar.
Postal Chess: Go for it. Later if you see it's not working out, along with your next move send your opponent a picture of your genitals and head for the bar.
Originally posted by MontyMoose😵
OTB: Go for it. Later if you see it's not working out, flip the board and head for the bar.
RHP: Go for it. Later if you see it's not working out, accuse your opponent of cheating, trash the game, and head for the bar.
Postal Chess: Go for it. Later if you see it's not working out, along with your next move send your opponent a picture of your genitals and head for the bar.
Originally posted by MontyMooseThis actually works pretty well in OTB games as well - nine of ten opponents will resign immediately. The tenth will ask you to go back to his place.
Postal Chess: Go for it. Later if you see it's not working out, along with your next move send your opponent a picture of your genitals and head for the bar.