Himeji Sacrifice

The Himeji Sacrifice involves a Queen sacrifice on the 8th move.

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. Nc3, e5?

Black's third move deviated from the normal Sicilian Defense, allowing White to penetrate the central diagonals.

4. Bc4, Nc6
5. d3, Nge7
6. Bg5, Bg4
7. Nd5, Nd4
8. Nxe5 !! ....

8. .... Bxd1

Black took the gambit, not knowing that the Queen is poisoned.  At this point, Black's best move may be 8......dxe5, 9. Qxg4 Nxc2+, 10. Kd2 Nxa1, 11. Rxa1 ....

9. Nf6+, gxf6

Forced.

10. Bxf7 mate

Simply elegant.

Attack of the Cardinals

This game is so called because two Bishops are instrumental in clinching victory.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nge7
4. c3, d6
5. d4, Bd7
6. 0-0, Ng6
7. Ng5, h6
8. Nxf7 ....

A surprise move.  Black has no choice but to capture the Knight.

8. .... Kxf7
9. Bc4+, Ke7

If 9.....Be6, then 10. d5 ! and White regains her sacrificed piece.   If 9.....Ke8 then 10. Qh5 Qf6, 11. f4! ... and White's attack shall be devastating.

10. Qh5, Qe8
11. Qg5+, hxg5
12. Bxg5 mate

The same result happens if 11. Bg5+ hxg5, 12. Qxg5 mate.

Tarantula's Venom

This game involves a daring Rook sacrifice and a combination of moves that leads to mate.

1. d4, d5
2. Bf4, c5
3. Bxb8, Rxb8
4. dxc5, e6
5. Qd4, Qc7
6. b4, b6
7. cxb6, Rxb6
8. c3, Rxb4 !!

So sudden.  White was not even able to catch his breadth.

9. cxb4, Qc1+
10.  Qd1, Bxb4+
11. Nd2, Bxd2 mate

Fantastic!   A gem of a game.

Frontenac Gambit

The gambit has an explosive opening and sacrifices a knight to trap the Queen.

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, c5
4. exd5, exd5
5. Bb5+, Nc6
6. Nf3, Nf6
7. Ne5, Qc7
8. Bg5, Ne4
9. Nxd5, Qd6
10. Bh4, Qxd5

Black thinks he gained a piece.  White's next move surprised him.

11. Bc4, Qxd4
12. Bxf7 mate

Chameleon Attack

In this game, White wins after a failed Alekhine Defense.  Black is attacked at its weakest point:  the f7 square.

1. e4, Nf6
2. e5, Nd5
3. c4, Nb6
4. d4, d6
5. Bd3, dxe5
6. dxe5, N8d7
7. e6 !! .....

7. .... Nf6

Certainly not 7....fxe6, for White replies with 8. Qh5+ g6, 9. Qxg6+ hxg6, 10. Bxg6 mate.

8. exf7+, Kxf7
9. Bg6+, hxg6
10. Qxd8 ....

Black loses his Queen.

Cricket Attack

The Cricket Attack demonstrates a Queen sacrifice in a simple yet artistic way.

1. e4, Nc6
2. d4, e5
3. d5, Nce7
4. f4, d6
5. Nf3, Bg4
6. Nc3, Ng6
7. h4, Bxf3
8. Bb5+ ....

Ignoring the attacking Bishop, White goes after the opponent's King.

8. .... c6
9. dxc6!, Bxd1
10. cxb7+, Ke7
11. Nd5+, Ke6
12. f5 mate

Heidelberg Sacrifice

In the following game, White sacrifices the Queen to achieve victory.

1. e4, d5
2. exd5, Qxd5
3. Nc3, Qd8
4. d4, Nc6
5. Nf3, Bg4
6. d5!, Ne5

Black thinks he has a good pin.  White's next move surprises him.

7. Nxe5, Bxd1
8. Bb5+, c6
9. dxc6, Qc7?

Black's best reply is 9....a6, though after 10. c7+ axb5, 11. cxd8 Rxd8, 12. Nxd1 ...., White still has the upper hand.

10. cxb7, Kd8

If 10.....Qd7, then 11. bxa8 mate.

11. Nxf7 mate