The Dragon's h-pawn sacrifice is lesson 8 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 4: Sicilian and French fire, an opening course suited to players rated around 1800 (strong club players). Sicilian Dragon, Yugoslav Attack, B78. White gives the h-pawn to open the h-file. 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 the Yugoslav Attack against the Dragon. The kings castled on opposite sides, so speed matters. Black's rook on c4 presses the queen side. White's plan is simple: open the h-file. About 28,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
h5! White gives the h-pawn. If Nxh5, g4 kicks the knight away from h5.
After Nxh5 and g4, the knight goes back to f6. White plays Bh6 to trade the Dragon bishop, and the queen and rooks use the h-file. The engines prefer White.
Recap.
With opposite castling, open lines against the king.
h5 gives a pawn for the h-file.
After Nxh5, g4 kicks the knight back.
Bh6 then trades the Dragon bishop.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Dragon Sicilian, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. The kings are on opposite sides. Give a pawn to open the h-file.
Black does not take the pawn. The queen comes to a5 to attack. Open the h-file yourself.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Dragon Sicilian, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers Rxc4. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. The kings are on opposite sides. Give a pawn to open the h-file. That is the classic attack. The h-file opens, and Bh6 will trade Black's best defender.
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