Typical Middle Game Combination and Tactics

As a chess player we always ask ourselves a question “What Should I do To Improve my game?” An answer to this question can be obtained from what the Czech GM Richar Reti wrote ”First you should learn to make Combinations before attempting to play positionally” How true! I suggested that you adopt this principle as the first step of the chess ladder on your way to become; Combination play is not only the most enjoyable but also the most creative aspect of the game!

Former World Champion Alexander Alekhine said that "Combination is the Soul of Chess", while the legendary Jose Raul Capablance was of the opinion that "The majority of Chess players are interested primarily in Combinations and direct attack on the King; such an interest is to be wholeheartedly encouraged, since it develops imagination, which is so necessary for a Chess player. And only later, when a player achieves considerable strength, do question associated with the positional aspect of play begin to interest him".

So our next question is what is a Combination and how to recognize a Combination? In the classical Chess literature there has been a tremendous disagreement as to the true meaning of the term 'Combination'. According to he legendary World Champion, Mikhailt Botvinnik, "A Combination is a forced maneuver or maneuvers combined with a sacrifice as a result of which the active side gains an advantage". One of the other famous definitions of Combination is the one given by a famous German, Dr. Voellmy: " A Combination in Chess is a transition in the game, which, by its form, is distinguished from the general expected trend of the game".

Now the most important question - Can we study the art of making Combinations? Well, first of all nothing is impossible! Mankind has been gifted the ability to 'think' and, if all things can be studied, why not the study of the art of making Combinations?

It may be mentioned that in a well- planned game a Combination will appear almost automatically because the basic idea of the Combination is very simple even when the Combination is complicated. What you need to do is to train yourself to spot the basic idea of the Combinations and Tactics to be employed. How do you do that? Learn the tactics presented in this part of the blog to consolidate acquisition of skill, gain a thorough understanding of each of theme.

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