Lion Variation, Bishop Sacrifice
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3d6
- 3.d4Nf6
- 4.Nc3Nbd7
- 5.Bc4Be7
- 6.Bxf7+
356 games
A speculative Philidor Lion line in which White plays 6. Bxf7+, giving up a bishop for a pawn to expose the black king; engines consider it unsound.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Bishop Sacrifice
The Bishop Sacrifice is White's most direct attempt against f7 after 5. Bc4 Be7. With 6. Bxf7+, White gives up the bishop for a pawn to draw the black king into the open. Black almost always replies 6...Kxf7, and 6...Kf8 is a rare alternative. Engines consider the sacrifice unsound and give Black a clear advantage. Black also scores better in practice, so the line is mainly a speculative surprise rather than a theoretical test.