Greek gift sacrifice: classic chess tactic

Greek gift sacrifice

Definition

The Greek gift sacrifice is the classic bishop sacrifice on h7 (or on h2 for Black) with check: Bxh7+. It aims to drag the enemy king into the open and launch a swift mating attack, typically with the knight jumping to g5 (or g4 for Black) and the queen swinging to h5 (or h4) to deliver checks and mating threats.

How it is used in chess

In its most common form (White attacking on h7):

• White plays Bxh7+ to lure ...Kxh7.
• White continues with Ng5+, forcing the king to g8, h6, or back to g6 in some lines.
• The queen heads to h5 (sometimes g4 or d3) to threaten Qh7# or Qxf7+ with a decisive attack.
• Typical follow-ups include a rook lift (Re1–e3–h3), advancing h4–h5, or sacrificing on e6/f7 if needed to break through.

The motif is completely symmetrical for Black, who can play ...Bxh2+ under analogous conditions.

When it works: key prerequisites

• Your light-squared (for White) bishop already points at h7 from d3 or c2.
• Your knight can reach g5 with check after ...Kxh7 (usually the knight starts on f3).
• Your queen can quickly reach h5 (or g4); in many setups Qd1–h5 becomes available once the knight vacates f3.
• The defender lacks key defenders: ...Nf6–h7 or ...Bf5/Bg4 (hitting/trading your Bd3) is not possible in time.
• The center is stable (or closed), limiting the defender’s counterplay against your king.
• Pawn shields like ...h6 or ...g6 have not prevented the attack, or they create new weaknesses you can exploit.

Quick calculation checklist

1. Does Ng5+ come with check after Bxh7+ Kxh7?
2. Is Qh5 available next move (check the diagonal d1–h5 squares: e2, f3, g4)?
3. What happens after the three critical king retreats: ...Kg8, ...Kh6, and ...Kg6?
4. Can the defender play ...Re8 or ...Qe8 to cover h5/h7, or ...Bf5 to trade your Bd3?
5. Do you have enough attackers (Q, N, B, sometimes a rook via Re3–h3) versus the defenders?
6. Is there a fallback (perpetual check or winning back material with interest) if mate is not forced?

Defensive resources (how it can fail)

• Declining the gift: After Bxh7+, Black can sometimes play ...Kh8 (or ...Kh6 in rare cases) and avoid getting dragged into the mainline if the attack is underprepared.
• Returning material at the right time: Moves like ...Re8, ...Qe8, or ...Bd6 can give back a pawn to trade attackers and reach a safe endgame.
• The precise king walk: ...Kg8 (not ...Kh6) followed by ...Nf8 and ...g6 is a common shell that neutralizes Qh5 ideas.
• Counterstrike in the center: ...c5 or ...e5 against a white king on g1 can deflect the attack if White’s center is loose.
• Key tactical defenses: ...Bf5 hitting Bd3, ...Qe8 covering h5/h7, or ...Nf6–h7 blocking checks. If Black can safely play ...Nf8 (covering h7/h7), the sac is often unsound.

Examples

The following sketches show typical ideas rather than forced sequences; exact move orders can vary by position.

• Successful Greek gift (model pattern): White pieces ready: Bd3 aimed at h7; Nf3 ready for Ng5+; queen poised to reach h5; Black has castled short and lacks defenders on the dark squares.

  Sequence: 1. Bxh7+ Kxh7 2. Ng5+ Kg8 3. Qh5. Now threats include Qh7+ Kf8 Qh8+ and Qxf7+ winning. If 3...Re8, then 4. Qxf7+ Kh8 5. Qh5+ Kg8 6. Qf7+ with at least a safe perpetual or regaining material with a continuing attack. If 3...Qe8? then 4. Qh4 and Re1–e3–h3 usually crashes through.

• Why it can fail (well-defended king): After 1. Bxh7+ Kxh7 2. Ng5+ Black has 2...Kg6! in some setups. Then 3. Qg4 f5! 4. Qg3 f4 and the queen gets chased while Black consolidates the extra piece. Another common refutation is 2...Kg8 3. Qh5 Nf6! (covering h7 and hitting your queen); without enough attackers, White runs out of steam.

• Symmetry for Black: With colors reversed, Black can play ...Bxh2+ Kxh2 ...Ng4+ followed by ...Qh4+, especially if White’s knight no longer guards g4 and the white queen cannot reach h5/h3 in time.

Strategic and historical significance

The Greek gift is one of the most famous mating patterns in chess, taught to developing players as a cornerstone of kingside attacking technique. It appears from a wide range of openings: Queen’s Pawn structures (Colle/London), the French and Caro–Kann Advance (after Bd3), and even some Italian structures once the bishop reroutes to d3 or c2. The name evokes “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts” (Virgil), while the pattern itself was described in early modern chess literature by Gioachino Greco in the 17th century.

Practical tips

• Before sacrificing, visualize the defender’s best king route (…Kg8/…Kh6/…Kg6) and your queen’s path to h5/g4.
• If a direct mate is unclear, aim for a perpetual check or a line where you regain the piece on f7/e6 with an ongoing initiative.
• Prepare the gift if needed: improve the queen (Qe2/Qd3), secure the center, and ready a rook lift (Re1–e3–h3).
• Be wary if the defender can play ...Nf8 or ...Bf5 hitting your Bd3—these often neutralize the attack.

Interesting facts and anecdotes

• Despite its name, the “Greek gift” is not specifically Greek in origin; it’s associated with Greco’s early manuscripts and the Trojan-horse metaphor.
• Engines defend the sacrificed positions resourcefully, so modern players are taught to verify the three king escapes and key defensive moves (...Re8, ...Qe8, ...Nf8) before committing.
• The motif is closely related to rook lifts and mating nets on the h-file; after the initial blows subside, a timely Re3–h3 can revive the attack.

Related terms

See also: sacrifice, rook lift, perpetual check.