Initiative
The initiative is the ability to make threats that keep the opponent responding.
Initiative is temporary and does not guarantee an advantage. Gambits often exchange material for time and initiative.
The Evans Gambit shows the initiative in motion
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3, Black has won a pawn but must move the bishop again. White uses that time to build a center with d4 and make the next threats.
Starting position · Position 0/11
Initiative is dynamic, not material
A side may sacrifice a pawn and still hold the initiative because active pieces create immediate problems. The extra material becomes important only if the defender survives the pressure and has time to use it.
The initiative can disappear
A forcing sequence that leads nowhere may leave pieces overextended. Before continuing an attack, check whether the next threat improves the position or merely postpones the moment when the opponent begins a plan.