From's Gambit queen sacrifice is lesson 5 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 1: classic traps, an opening course suited to players rated around 900 (beginners). Bird Opening, From's Gambit, A02. Black gives the queen for a mate in two. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is From's Gambit against 1.f4. White played Nc3 instead of Nf3, so nothing guards h4. Your queen gave check from h4, and White blocked with g3. About 4,488 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Qxg3 check! The queen takes the pawn and offers herself. hxg3 is the only move.
After hxg3, Bxg3 is checkmate. The bishop checks along the diagonal, and the king has no square.
Recap.
In From's Gambit, the line from h4 to e1 is White's weak spot.
After Nc3, Qh4 check and Qxg3 check mate.
Against Nf3, the knight guards h4: develop with Nf6.
One wrong knight move can lose at once.
What you practise
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the From's Gambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White's king is wide open. Give your queen and mate in two.
With the right move, Nf3, White guards h4, and there is no trap. Develop your knight and play for the pawn.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the From's Gambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. White answers g3. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White's king is wide open. Give your queen and mate in two. Mate in two. After hxg3, Bxg3 is checkmate. Bxg3 check first also works, then Qxg3 is mate.
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