Tims Tips II

Tactics:

     I was reading a new book That I added to my library and ran across a few rules of tactics and combinations.it gives a definition for Tactics " Tactics are maneuvers that take advantage of short term oppertunities." But recognizing these oppertunities during a real game are a little harder to spot . Sure when you look at a puzzle that says "Mate in two" or even "Find the fork" its a little easy to look for . The Author said that in almost all combinations are based in someway on a double attack . And the more I study, the more I began to notice that in most cases this is true . Most of these tactical combinations in one way or another have a double attack . Cool when you think about it .

Jeremy Silman gives a few rules of what to look for When a combination can exist

1.  A week king or an open king not protected by pawns , a combination is probably in the works.

2.  A stalemated king

3.  Undefended pieces ( not pawns ) or any unguarded piece

4.  Inadequately guarded pieces

 so if you spot any of these conditions a tactical combination is probly in the works .  I plan on studying this theory a little more but if it helps anyone else in the group let me know.......Tim