apex64 Coach
Clearance Sacrifice
What it is
A clearance sacrifice gives up material for one reason: to clear a square, file, rank or diagonal so that another of your pieces can occupy or use it with devastating effect.
When to use it
Use it when your own piece is standing in the way of a winning maneuver, or when a key square must be vacated for a knight, queen or rook to land the finishing move.
How to use it
Identify the ideal square or line for your strongest piece, notice which of your own units is blocking it, and sacrifice that unit — ideally with tempo — so the star piece arrives before the opponent can react.
Worked examples
Watch the coach play the tactic from real master games.