Some Pointers on when to Sacrifice the Exchange

Sacrificing the exchange is difficult to evaluate since it can involve a permanent loss of material. In the following game played at ICC, heron of the Netherlands playing at the Internet Chess Club with the White chess pieces has stripped the Black King of all his pawn protection and Black appears doomed to lose.



With Black to move, Rook captures Knight at f3 is tempting, but after pawn captures at f3 White has a difficult but effective defense. Blacks best is to intensify the pin on the Knight with Qh5. After Ne3 attacking the pinning g4 Bishop, Black can occupy the strong square f4 with his rook after the Knight captured at f3 by the Bishop.

Black has the better chances despite having two fewer pawns.