Lasker's two bishops is lesson 6 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 3: king hunts, an opening course suited to players rated around 1500 (club players). Bird Opening, A03. The famous double bishop sacrifice on h7 and g7. 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 position is from Emanuel Lasker against Johann Bauer, Amsterdam 1889. Black just took your knight on h5. Your bishops on d3 and e5 both aim at the black king. This exact position is rare on Lichess, but the idea comes up again and again.
Bxh7 check! The first bishop goes. After Kxh7, Qxh5 check wins the knight back with tempo.
After Kxh7, Qxh5 check and Kg8, the second bishop takes on g7. After Kxg7, Qg4 check and Rf3 bring the rook to the h-file. Black must give the queen to stop mate, and Qd7 then wins a bishop. White ends up clearly ahead.
Recap.
Two bishops aiming at h7 and g7 can both be given.
Bxh7 check, then Qxh5 check.
Bxg7 opens the king completely.
The rook lift to the h-file finishes the attack.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Bird Opening, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Your two bishops point at the black king. Give both of them to open it.
Black does not take the bishop. The king steps to h8. Win back your knight.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Bird Opening, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers Nxh5. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Your two bishops point at the black king. Give both of them to open it. That is Lasker's double bishop sacrifice. Both bishops are gone, but the king is naked, and the rook joins on the h-file.
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