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The classic bishop sacrifice
Bxh7+ and the attack pours in.
The Greek gift is the model king-attack sacrifice: Bxh7+!. After Kxh7, the knight jumps in with Ng5+ and the queen swings to h5 — three pieces crashing onto the exposed king. The bishop is gone, but the king's shelter is gone with it.
It isn't automatic — it works when the conditions are right: the king has castled with pawns on f7/g7/h7, there's NO black knight on f6 to defend h7, your knight can reach g5, and your queen can reach h5 (or g4/h4 quickly). Tick those boxes and the gift is a knockout. Miss one and you're just down a piece.
- Bxh7+ Kxh7, then Ng5+ and Qh5 — three attackers on the bare king.
- Needs: pawns on f7/g7/h7, no ...Nf6 defender, and fast Ng5 + Qh5.
- If the conditions aren't met, it's just a lost bishop — check first.
What's the single most important thing to check before playing the Greek gift Bxh7+?
Answer the question to keep going!