Counter-sacrifice

A counter-sacrifice is a sacrifice, a deliberate surrender of pawns or pieces for another benefit, made in response to the opponent's action. Instead of trying to keep all the material received, the defender gives some of it back or offers additional material to interrupt the attacking idea.

Its purpose may be to remove a key piece, close a line toward the king, force exchanges, gain development time, or recover the initiative, the ability to create threats that demand replies. The result need not be an immediate material gain. Reaching a safe or equal position can be sufficient compensation.

When to consider it

1. Identify what the opponent gained from the original sacrifice: open lines, development, king threats, or forced recovery of material.
2. Find the piece or line that sustains that compensation.
3. Test whether returning material removes the source of the attack before it grows.
4. Evaluate the final position, not just the first exchange: king safety, remaining material, and piece activity.

It is not the same as a counterattack, because a counterattack need not give up material. Nor is every defensive sacrifice a counter-sacrifice: material can be given up to survive even when the opponent sacrificed nothing first. The defining feature is a material response to the opponent's offensive action or concession.