Positional sacrifices

A positional sacrifice gives up material (often a pawn or the exchange) without a forced win. You get long-term compensation instead: an attack, better piece activity, a safer king or a damaged pawn structure for your opponent.

Before you sacrifice, ask what you get in return and whether the compensation lasts. If the opponent can return the material and keep the advantage, the sacrifice is not sound.

Typical examples: sacrificing the exchange (a rook for a minor piece) to remove a strong defender, or giving a pawn to open lines against the enemy king.