Sac Or No Sac? (4)

A sacrifice is best refuted by accepting it
Wilhelm Steinitz

How do I know when is the right time to sac?” is a question that puzzled me earlier in my chess career. Of course I did go over many books on tactics like many do. Still, as I progressed the opposition got stronger. They were less and less likely to fall into typical positions where the sacrifices I knew would work. Forced to come up with my own decisions, I had my share of good and not at all good decisions. Here is one that is perfect to be named “a comedy of errors“:

At the opposite pole from the above, let’s enjoy a Masterclass from the World Champion. The time to sac is now, or there is no progress. Would you have done it? The choice to hold the draw must be a consideration for many of us. I believe here the decision is based whether you trust yourself or not. There is nothing obvious leading to an advantage after the sac. If you believe you can have a draw regardless, then why not giving it a try?

Eugen Demian

Please follow and like us:
follow subscribe
Valer Eugen Demian

Author: Valer Eugen Demian

The player – my first serious chess tournament was back in 1974, a little bit late for today’s standards. Over the years I have had the opportunity to play all forms of chess from OTB to postal, email and server chess. The journey as a player brought me a lot of experience and a few titles along the way: FIDE CM (2012), ICCF IM (2001) and one ICCF SIM norm (2004). The instructor – my career as a chess teacher and coach started in 1994 and continues strong. I have been awarded the FIDE Instructor title (2007) for my work and have been blessed with great students reaching the highest levels (CYCC, NAYCCC, Pan-Am, WYCC). I am very proud of them! See my website for more information. I have developed my own chess curriculum on 6 levels based on my overall chess knowledge and hands-on experience. A glimpse of it can be seen in my first chess app:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chessessentials/id593013634?mt=8
I can help you learn chess the proper way if this is what you seek! View all posts by Valer Eugen Demian

You May Also Like