apex64 Coach
Breakthrough
What it is
A breakthrough is a pawn sacrifice (or two) that shatters a seemingly solid pawn structure to create an unstoppable passed pawn that queens — most famous in king-and-pawn endgames.
When to use it
Use it when pawn majorities face off and a direct push is blocked, but a well-timed sacrifice clears the path for one pawn to run to promotion faster than the opponent can stop it.
How to use it
Look for the pawn lever — usually the central or outermost pawn — that, when pushed and sacrificed, deflects the enemy pawns and opens a lane. Calculate the promotion race to the end before committing.
Worked examples
Watch the coach play the tactic from real master games.