The Pawn f7 would then be three times attacked and three times protected so that White cannot take him as now the pin of the Rook resulting from Ktxf7, Ktxf7; Qxf7, Rxf7 does not lead to anything, the square e8 being protected by the Queen.  However, White can force the win by (2) Ra1- e1, threatening again the sacrifice of f7, as he now controls the square e8 twice.  If Black replies (2) ..., Q-f6, protecting f7 for the fourth time and thereby making impossible White’s sacrifice on that point, White continues with (3) R-e8.  This threatens Rxf8+, Kxf8; Ktxh7+ winning the Queen.  Black cannot defend himself with Q-g6 on account of (4) B-d3 followed by Bxh7+ and Rxf8, etc., nor can he play (3) ..., Q-f4 on account of P-g3 followed by Qxd6, attacking the defenseless Rook f8.

A sacrifice with the view to enabling a mating attack through the cooperation of Rooks and Bishop somewhat similar to the examples discussed in the previous chapter is possible in the position of Diagram 41 which occurred in a Tournament game in London in which the author conducted the black men.

Black’s combination starts with the sacrifice of the Queen on f3.  After (1) ..., Qxf3; (2) Pxf3, B-h3+; (3) K-g1 White’s King is held in an immobile position by the Black Bishop and a check with one of Black’s Rooks in the g-file would be deadly.

However, White can, for a while, protect himself against all mating attempts of Black.  If Black continued (3 ) ..., R-e6, White would take the Pawn d3 with the Queen thereby defending the mate R-g6.  After giving up his Queen for one of Black’s Rooks White would still have an advantage in material.

The correct way to carry on the attack is (3) ..., Ra8-e8, as then White cannot take the Pawn d3 on account of R-e1+; Q-f1, Rxf1+; Rxf1, R-e6 and R-g6 mate.

+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R |    | #B |    |    |    | #K |    |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #P |    |    |    | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 |    |    |    |    |    | #Q |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    | ^P | ^P |    |    |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    |    |    | #P |    | ^Kt|    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 |    | ^P |    |    | #R | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R |    |    | ^Q |    | ^K |    | ^R |
+---------------------------------------+
a    b    c    d    e    f    g    h

Diagram 41.

The main threat of Black’s third move is R-e6-g6 mate.  Another threat is P-d2 followed by R-e1+.  The only way for White to defend himself is (4) P-f4.  If now P-d2, then (5) P-f3, R-e1+; (6) K-f2 affords a sufficient protection.  And if (4) ..., Re8-e6, then (5) P-f5 prevents the Rook from going to g6.