You can learn to be brilliant by mastering common sacrificial patterns.
Jacques Mieses White
Johannes Ohquist Black
Nuremberg 1895
Center Counter Defense B01
1 e4 d5 2 exd5 ♕xd5 3 ♘c3 ♕d8 4 d4 ♘c6?
This works in similar positions when the d4-pawn is vulnerable and can’t advance.
5 ♘f3
White would have a significant lead in development after 5 d5! ♘b8 6 ♘f3. Or in space after 5...♘e5 6 ♕d4.
5...♗g4?
Black could reduce his inferiority with 5...e6 (6 ♗b5 ♗d6).
6 d5!
Now 6...♗xf3 7 ♕xf3 favors White. For example, 7...♘d4 8 ♕d3 c5 9 ♗e3 threatens ♗xd4. Or 8...e5 9 dxe6.
6...♘e5?
Now 7 ♗e2 is good enough for a White plus. But he noticed something else.
7 ♘xe5!
This looks like genius. But it is simply recognizing a known sacrificial pattern.
7...♗xd1 8 ♗b5+ c6
Or 8...♕d7 9 ♗xd7+ ♔d8 when both 10 ♘xf7+ and the capture on d1 win.
9 dxc6
Black would be a piece down after 9...a6 10 c7+ axb5 11 cxd8(♕)+.
9...♕c7 10 cxb7+ ♔d8 11 ♘xf7 mate
The pattern can occur in other forms:
1 e4 ♘c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 ♕xd5 4 ♘f3 ♗g4 5 ♘c3 ♕d8? 6 d5! ♘e5? 7 ♘xe5! ♗xd1 8 ♗b5+ transposes exactly into the game above.
Question 25: What happens after 5...♗xf3 ?