The "initiative" is the ability to make threats that your opponent cannot ignore, forcing them to spend time defending rather than developing their own plans.
: Look for squares or pawns that cannot be easily defended by other pawns, such as the f7/f2 squares or a king whose pawn shield has been pushed. Winning Chess. How to Perfect Your Attacking Play
: A sacrifice is a tool used to strip away the king's pawn cover or gain a decisive tempo . Only pull the trigger when you have calculated the forcing follow-up moves. 4. Practical Training Methods The "initiative" is the ability to make threats