The Greek Gift Sacrifice
The classic bishop sacrifice on h7 that blows open the castled king's defenses.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: The Greek Gift is named after the Trojan Horse — a gift that conceals destruction. When I first studied this sacrifice, I was amazed that such a specific pattern had been known for centuries and yet continued to claim victims at the highest levels of play. The bishop offers itself on h7, and if the king accepts, an avalanche of pieces crashes through the opened defenses. It is one of those patterns that once you learn it, you see it everywhere. I have probably played or analyzed the Greek Gift more than any other single tactical theme.
The Classic Greek Gift Pattern
The Greek Gift sacrifice is one of the most famous and well-studied tactical patterns in chess. It typically involves White sacrificing a bishop on h7 (Bxh7+ or Bxh7+) against a castled Black king. The sacrifice aims to strip away the h7 pawn, open lines against the king, and launch a mating attack.
The standard sequence goes like this: White plays Bxh7+, and the Black king captures with Kxh7. White then plays Ng5+, bringing the knight into the attack with check. The king retreats (usually to g8 or g6), and White brings the queen to h5 or h4, creating devastating threats along the h-file.
The pattern has been known since at least the 17th century, and yet it continues to decide games at every level. The reason is that the conditions for the Greek Gift arise naturally in many common openings, particularly when White has a bishop on d3 (aiming at h7), a knight on f3 (ready to jump to g5), and a queen on d1 (ready to swing to h5).
The name "Greek Gift" refers to the ancient Greek story of the Trojan Horse — a gift that appears generous but conceals a devastating surprise. The bishop sacrifice looks like a free piece, but accepting it opens the door to a lethal attack.
Conditions for the Greek Gift
Not every Bxh7+ sacrifice works. For the Greek Gift to be sound, certain conditions must be met. Learning these conditions allows you to know when the sacrifice is strong and when it is premature.
First, you need a bishop that can sacrifice on h7 with check. This is typically a light-squared bishop on d3 or b1 aimed at h7. Second, you need a knight that can follow up with Ng5+ after the king captures on h7. The knight is usually on f3. Third, the queen must be able to reach the h-file quickly, usually via Qh5 or Qh4.
Beyond these basic pieces, several positional factors influence whether the sacrifice works. The absence of a Black knight on f6 is important, because a knight on f6 defends both h7 and can block threats. If the knight has been traded or deflected, the sacrifice becomes much stronger.
The Black bishop on c8 is also relevant. If it has been developed elsewhere, the a2-g8 diagonal is open, giving the White queen access to h7. If the bishop is still on c8, it might be able to defend.
In the position shown, notice the typical setup for a Greek Gift. White's bishop on d3 eyes h7, the knight on f3 is ready to go to g5, and the queen can reach the h-file. Whether the sacrifice works in this specific position requires calculation, but the conditions are promising.
Always calculate carefully. The Greek Gift is a pattern, not a guarantee. Conditions must be checked before sacrificing.
The classic setup: bishop on d3 eyeing h7, knight on f3 ready for g5, queen ready for the h-file.
The Follow-Up After Bxh7+
After Bxh7+ Kxh7, the critical follow-up is Ng5+. Now the king faces a difficult choice of where to retreat, and each option leads to different continuations.
If the king goes to g8, White plays Qh5, threatening Qh7 mate. Black must find a way to defend h7, which is not easy with the knight on g5 also pressuring f7 and e6. The queen and knight work together to create multiple mating threats.
If the king goes to g6, this is the most ambitious defense but also the most dangerous for Black. The king is extremely exposed on g6, and White continues with Qd3+ (or Qg4 depending on the position), creating a battery against the king. The king on g6 is often hunted down by precise attacking play.
If the king goes to h6, White plays Nxe6+ (or sometimes Qd3, threatening Qh7 mate). The king on h6 is very exposed, and the pawn structure around it provides little shelter.
In many cases, Black declines the sacrifice by not taking on h7, playing Kh8 instead. This loses a pawn but keeps the king relatively safe. Whether declining is the best option depends on the specific position.
The key principle in all these lines is that White's pieces coordinate to create continuous threats against the exposed king. The queen, knight, and often a rook on the h-file (after the h-pawn advances or the rook lifts to h3) work together to maintain relentless pressure.
Defending Against the Greek Gift
As a defender, you should be aware of the Greek Gift pattern and take preventive measures when it threatens.
The simplest prevention is the move h6, creating an escape square on h7 for the king and denying the knight access to g5. This move is not always necessary or desirable (it can weaken the kingside), but in positions where the Greek Gift is a genuine threat, h6 is a reliable antidote.
Another preventive measure is maintaining a knight on f6. The knight defends h7 and controls g4 and e4, making it harder for White to execute the standard sacrifice pattern. If your knight on f6 is exchanged, be especially vigilant about h7.
If the sacrifice has already been played, the critical decision is whether to accept it. Declining with Kh8 (losing a pawn but keeping the king safer) is often the practical choice, especially if you are not sure about the complications of accepting.
If you do accept, your best resources include blocking checks with pieces (for example, placing a bishop on e4 or a knight on f6 after retreating), creating counterattacks that distract the opponent, and rushing to trade queens. Without the queen, the attacking side usually cannot maintain the pressure, and the extra material for the defender (having an extra piece after the sacrifice) becomes decisive.
Study both sides of the Greek Gift. Understanding the attack helps you launch it; understanding the defense helps you survive it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Greek Gift sacrifice in chess?
The Greek Gift is a classic bishop sacrifice on h7 (Bxh7+) against a castled king, named after the Trojan Horse. It aims to strip the h-pawn, open lines against the king, and launch a mating attack with the knight on g5 and the queen on the h-file.
How do you execute the Greek Gift in a game?
You need a bishop aimed at h7 (typically on d3), a knight on f3 ready to jump to g5, and a queen that can reach the h-file. Play Bxh7+, and after Kxh7, follow with Ng5+ and then bring the queen to h5 or h4 to create decisive mating threats.
Why is the Greek Gift important?
The Greek Gift is one of the most common and decisive attacking patterns in chess. It arises naturally in many standard openings and continues to decide games at all levels. Knowing both how to execute and defend against it is essential tactical knowledge.
Professor Archer says: Learn the Greek Gift conditions by heart. When you see a bishop aimed at h7, a knight ready to come to g5, and a queen that can swing to the h-file, check the position carefully. The sacrifice may be lurking just beneath the surface. And when you are on the defending side, be especially cautious with the h7 pawn. Sometimes the simple preventive move h6 saves you from a world of pain.
Quick Quiz
What are the three key pieces White typically needs for a successful Greek Gift sacrifice?
- Queen, both rooks, and a pawn on e5 - While rooks can support the attack later, the initial Greek Gift requires a specific combination of bishop, knight, and queen.
- A bishop on d3 (or aimed at h7), a knight on f3 (to go to g5), and the queen (Correct) - Correct. The classic Greek Gift requires a bishop to sacrifice on h7, a knight ready to follow up with Ng5+, and a queen that can swing to the h-file (typically via Qh5). These three pieces form the core of the attack.
- Two bishops and a rook on the h-file - While a rook on the h-file can support the attack, the classic Greek Gift pattern specifically requires a bishop on h7, a knight to g5, and the queen.
- A knight on e5, a bishop on c4, and a rook on d1 - This describes a different attacking setup. The Greek Gift specifically involves a bishop sacrificing on h7, followed by a knight coming to g5 with check.