Setting up a skewer: sacrifice (2)
We have seen in the previous lessons how to set up a skewer by means of checks and captures. We will continue this in the next three lessons, but with the difference that these forcing moves are accompanied by a sacrifice. In this lesson we look at sacrifice with check.
What do you have to do?
Sacrifice a piece with check and try to set up a a skewer, or eliminate a defender. Afterwards, gain material with a skewer.
With the black king and queen on the same diagonal, it is logical to place a white piece on this diagonal as well. However, an X-ray check with 1.Qh1+ does not yield anything. Black can continue to protect the queen with 1...Kb6. Better is to lure the king to an unfavorable square! With 1.Bd5+! white sacrifices the bishop and thus pulls the queen and king apart. If Black does not capture the bishop, White takes the queen on the next move (2.Bxb7). However, on 1...Kxd5, 2.Qh1+ is now a lot more favorable for white than a move ago. The king cannot leave and at the same time continues to protect he queen. After, for example, 2...Kc5 3.Qxb7 white has won a queen against a bishop!
