The best defence still loses
When the bishop lands on h7
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dcba−2.6
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7…O-O? Castling into the attack.
Lesson 1 of 5
Defending Against the Greek Gift
Bxh7+ is easiest to stop before it is played. Do not castle when the three attackers are ready, keep a knight on f6, take the knight on g5 when you can, and know the best defence when the bishop does land on h7.
The Greek Gift, Bxh7+ followed by Ng5+ and the queen, is one of the most common attacks against a castled king. In the French Defence, where White's pawn on e5 drives Black's knight from f6, it is always in the air. The attacker needs three pieces: the bishop on d3, a knight that reaches g5 with check, and a queen that reaches the h-file or d3 at once.
The defender's best weapon is prevention. Do not castle while all three attackers are ready and nothing guards h7; bring a knight back to f6, where it guards h7; and if a bishop on e7 covers g5, the sacrifice may simply lose a piece. When the bishop does land on h7, the best defence is often the counter-intuitive king move forward, to g6.
This lesson is taught from Black's side. A move that works holds the position; a move that fails loses (see "How these lessons were checked"). You get three conditions, each shown with a move that holds and one that loses, the sacrifice and its prevention move by move, and three positions to solve.
The idea
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edcbaThree attackers ready
White's bishop on d3 aims at h7, the knight on f3 can reach g5, and the queen can follow. Black's knight has been driven from f6, so after castling nothing but the king would guard h7.
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dcbaThe guard on g5
With the bishop on e7 instead of c5, Black's bishop covers g5. The knight check can simply be taken.
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aA knight back on f6
After …f6 and …Nxf6, a knight is back on f6, guarding h7. Now castling is safe.
Before you play it: the checklist
Each condition with two positions: one where it holds and the move works, one where it is missing and the same move fails. The number is Stockfish's evaluation after the move, from the attacker's side.
1.Do not castle into it
Before castling, count the attackers: bishop on d3, knight that reaches g5, queen. If all three are ready and nothing guards h7, wait.
It works
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edcba7…Nc6+0.1
7…Nc6 develops and keeps the king out of the line of fire for now.
It fails
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edcba7…O-O−2.6
7…O-O? walks into 8.Bxh7+, and White is winning.
The engine prefers Nc6 (0.0).
2.Take the knight when you can
If a bishop on e7 or a queen on d8 covers g5, the knight check can simply be taken.
It works
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8…Bxg5! and White has lost a piece for a pawn.
It fails
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dcba8…Kg8−4.8
8…Kg8? runs back, and White's attack crashes through.
The engine prefers Bxg5 (+6.9).
3.Bring a knight back to f6
A knight on f6 guards h7. Recapture with the knight, and only then castle.
It works
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a9…Nxf6−0.1
9…Nxf6 brings the knight back to guard h7.
It fails
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a9…O-O−2.1
9…O-O? castles before the knight is back, and White is clearly better.
The engine prefers Nxf6 (−0.1).
Move by move
Click a move or use the arrows. Under each note you'll find the defender's other choices and how to answer them. The number under the board is Stockfish's evaluation from the attacker's side.
127gfdcbaDevelop first, castle later
Prevention
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7.Bd3. The notes are on the highlighted moves.
Other moves here
Your turn
Each position has one best move. Find it, then check the solution.
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Black to move. The bishop has landed on h7. Which king move resists best?
Show solution
9...Kg6
9…Kg6! steps forward. Black is still worse, but 9…Kg8 is far worse.
French Defence, the Greek Gift.
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Black to move. White checks from d3.
Show solution
10...f5
10…f5 is the only move: both king moves walk into mate.
French Defence, the Greek Gift.
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Black to move. White has sacrificed on h7 and checks from g5.
Show solution
8...Bxg5
8…Bxg5! takes the knight, and White is a piece down for a pawn.
French Defence, the Greek Gift with the bishop on e7.
From history
Even Colle could be held
The standard example of the Greek Gift is Colle–O'Hanlon, Nice 1930, the model game of the Greek Gift lesson in Attacking the King. Engines now show that Black could have held there. The sacrifice is strong, but it is not always sound, and the defender who knows the defences can make the attacker pay.
Take these into your games
Count the attackers
Bishop on d3, knight that reaches g5 with check, queen that reaches h5 or d3. With all three ready, think twice before castling.
Keep a knight on f6
A knight on f6 guards h7. If it is driven away, bring a knight back before castling.
Guard g5
A bishop on e7 or a queen on d8 that covers g5 can refute the sacrifice.
King forward
If the bishop lands on h7, the king stepping forward to g6 is often the best defence.
Prevention beats cure
Even the best defence may only limit the damage. The time to defend is before the sacrifice.