The Two Knights bishop sacrifice is lesson 8 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 5: master sacrifices, an opening course suited to players rated around 2100 (strong club players). Two Knights Defence, C56. White gives the bishop on d5 and wins the piece back with a pin. 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
Black took on e4 with the knight and played d5. White's rook on e1 faces the knight on e4. The bishop on c4 is attacked. About 593,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Bxd5! The bishop takes the pawn. If Qxd5, Nc3 hits the queen, and the knight on e4 is pinned on the e-file.
After Qxd5 and Nc3, the queen must move, and White wins back the knight on e4. The material is level, and the engines call it about equal.
Recap.
In this Two Knights line, Bxd5 gives the bishop.
Nc3 hits the queen.
The knight on e4 is pinned on the e-file.
White wins the piece back.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Two Knights Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Your bishop on c4 is attacked. Do not retreat. Take on d5.
Black develops the bishop to e7 instead of playing d5. Now the knight on e4 has no support. Take it.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Two Knights Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers d5. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Your bishop on c4 is attacked. Do not retreat. Take on d5. That is the bishop sacrifice. The pin on the e-file wins the piece back.
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