Tactics
What is a vacating sacrifice in chess?
- Tactics
- Forcing
- Pattern
Vacating sacrifice is a tactical concept: a sacrifice made for the purpose of clearing a square for a different piece of the same color. Do not stop at naming the motif; calculate the forcing line that makes it work.
What to look for on the board
- Checks, captures, and threats.
- Loose pieces and unsafe kings.
- A forcing sequence, not just a pattern name.
Related terms
Free game review
See where vacating sacrifice decides your games
Chessiro reviews your games with an AI coach that names the concept behind every mistake, then drills you on the exact positions where it happened until you stop repeating them.