Greek Gift – Chess Motif
Greek Gift (Greek Gift Sacrifice)
Definition
The Greek Gift is a classic attacking motif in which the side with the initiative sacrifices a bishop on the enemy king’s knight-pawn (usually Bxh7+ or Bxh2+) to lure the king forward, then launches a decisive attack with the knight, queen, and often other pieces. The name recalls the Trojan Horse—an apparently benevolent “gift” that brings devastating consequences to the recipient.
Typical Tactical Sequence
- Bxh7+! (or Bxh2+!)—the bishop sacrifice draws the king to h7/h2.
- Kxh7 is nearly forced; declining with …Kh8 often loses material anyway.
- Ng5+ (or Ng4+)—the knight check gains time and corrals the king.
- The queen joins via Qh5+, Qf3, or Qd3, threatening mating nets.
- Support pieces (rook to e3–h3 or bishop to d3) finish the attack.
Strategic Preconditions
- The defending side has castled short and weakened the kingside (e.g., the knight on f6/f3 has moved or can be deflected).
- There is no defending knight on f6/f3 (after …Nf6, it must be unavailable to reach h7/h2 quickly).
- The attacker’s queen and knight can reach the assault squares in two moves or fewer.
- Pawns on g7/g2 and h7/h2 are unmoved, limiting escape squares for the king.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Mastery of the Greek Gift teaches key attacking principles: exploiting piece activity, time (tempo), and the weakness of squares created by a castled king. Its study dates back to the 19th century romantic era, when open games and bold sacrifices flourished. Though computers have refined modern defense, the motif remains critical in openings such as the Classical French, Caro-Kann Panov, and certain Queen’s Gambit lines.
Classic Example
Emanuel Lasker – Bauer, Amsterdam 1889
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4!? Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O d3 8. Qb3 Qf6 9. e5 Qg6 10. Re1 Nge7 11. Ba3 b5 12. Qxb5 Rb8 13. Qa4 Bb6 14. Nbd2 Bb7? (diagram) White unleashed:
15. Bxh7+!! followed by 16. Qh4+ and a decisive mating attack.
Modern Illustrations
Even elite players can fall victim. In Carlsen – Adams, Wijk aan Zee 2012, the World Champion uncorked Bxh7+ in a seemingly quiet Queen’s Gambit and converted with flawless technique.
Practical Usage Tips
- Calculate forcing variations at least three moves beyond the sacrifice. If the king can reach g6/g3 unharmed, abort!
- Do not hesitate if all preconditions are met; every tempo counts.
- If the direct mate fails but you regain material with interest (e.g., picking up the h7-pawn and rook on h8), the sacrifice is still sound.
Trivia & Anecdotes
- The term supposedly arose in 19th-century Paris cafés, where sacrificing on h7/h2 was jokingly likened to a “fatal present.”
- Many puzzle books euphemistically title the motif “The Trojan Horse.”
- Engines evaluate some lines of the Classical French with Bxh7+ as close to +2.00 for White—proof that classic ideas survive silicon scrutiny.