Breaking through a castled king’s defenses is an important skill and one we can improve by studying illustrative examples.
GM Vadim Zvjaginsev played a beautiful mating combination against a castled king during the second round of the 2022 Dvoretsky Memorial chess tournament.
In the position below, IM Aleksey Grebnev (black) has just played 42… Nc6 leaving GM Vadim Zvjaginsev with an opportunity to deliver mate by force.
The correct move here is GM Zvjaginsev’s 43. Bxh6.
Now it’s time to watch and learn why sacrificing the bishop works.
44.Bxg7+ Kxg7 45.Qf7+ Kh6 46.Qh7+ Kg5 47.f4+
IM Aleksey Grebnev resigns because if black plays Kf6…
White would deliver checkmate with 48. Qf7.
Even if you already understand why 43. Bxh6 destroys black’s defenses, GM Vadim Zvjaginsev beautiful mating combination is worthy of appreciation.