The Velimirovic knight sacrifice is lesson 7 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 4: Sicilian and French fire, an opening course suited to players rated around 1800 (strong club players). Sicilian Sozin, Velimirovic Attack, B89. White gives a knight on f5 to open the e-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 Velimirovic Attack: queen on e2, castled long, pawns on g4 and g5. Black's knight was pushed to d7, and Black's king is still on e8. About 1,739 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Nf5! The knight jumps into f5. If exf5, the other knight jumps to d5 and hits the queen on c7.
After exf5 and Nd5, the queen goes back to d8. Then exf5 opens the e-file toward Black's king. The engines call it about equal, with a lot of play for White.
Recap.
In the Velimirovic, Black's king often stays on e8.
Nf5 offers a knight to open the e-file.
After exf5, Nd5 hits the queen.
Then exf5 opens the file toward the king.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Sozin Sicilian, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's king is still on e8. Give a knight on f5 to open lines.
Black does not take the knight. Black pushes b4 and hits your knight on c3. Take the bishop on e7 first.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Sozin Sicilian, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers Nd7. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's king is still on e8. Give a knight on f5 to open lines. That is the Velimirovic sacrifice. The e-file opens against the black king.
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