When to sacrifice material

What is a sacrifice, in chess?

"A sacrifice happens in chess when one player intentionally gives up material to achieve a different or larger goal. Sacrifices are usually a part of a combination of moves that result in a better position or a more comfortable position for the player who performs it."

-Chess.com/terms 

In a game of chess, sacrifices are exciting. Sometimes, they might not be the best move, and sometimes they might be brilliant moves.  Let us be honest. What move do you want to see in your game review? Of course, everybody loves the 2 exclamation marks everytime they find a good move. How often have you thought you made a good sacrifice, but it turns out to be a blunder?
 Hopefully, this blog can teach you how to sacrifice material the right way in the game of chess, and you can get more brilliant moves.

Concept
A sacrifice can serve different purposes:

-To win material
-To checkmate the opponent

-To get an advantage in the position (Deco/Deflection)

Winning Material

When you sacrifice material, the opponent does not have to take it. However, if you take a protected pawn with a rook, and the opponent does not take it, you win a pawn. This is an important concept in sacrifices, as you have to calculate what happens if your opponent does not take the sacrifice. 

Example 1: London System, Poisoned Pawn Variation

This is just an example. Instead of Rb1 first, a3 is the best move in the real game because it traps the queen. I just want to show the rook sac.

Anyway I have some challenges for you!

Practice 1