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Look them up. Take the time to understand each term, and you'll be able to take this book in stride. A word about terminology of a different sort: Things haven't changed much in the chess world since I wrote Play Winning Chess a year ago. Chess players come in all colors. In this book, I'll continue to refer to chess players as he. Hopefully, the situation will someday be different. I strongly recommend a detailed study of the material in these pages for any aspiring chess player.
After all, as nice as it is to admire the artistic combinations that the great chess players have given us, it's much more Introduction satisfying to create them ourselves! And I hope this book will be the tool that allows you this satisfaction. As soon as you're ready, I advise you to get out and test your skills against those of other chess enthusiasts. Though reading this book will not guarantee that you'll win, it might start you on your way to a championship.
The sport of chess is remarkably well organized; in fact, very few sports have such a large international network of players. Local clubs, states, and national federations organize club championships, state championships, and national championships. So join your local club, enter and win tournaments, and who knows, you might manage to bag yourself a championship.
Happy hunting! After defining tactics and combinations, I break them down into themes thatI explain briefly before offering examples that illustrate the "how to" and "why. If you continue to draw a blank, go over the section again and again and again until your raw, paper-cut fingers can't turn another page, your bloodshot eyes see only the hazy outlines of chess boards, and you begin to wish you had never taken up the sport of chess!
You'd probably just as soon skip them and jump right into a few juicy games. Be patient. But before we delve into the world of tactics and combinations, we should begin by defining them. For some strange reason, these terms seem to cause confusion.
Just what are tactics and combinations? Surprisingly, coming up with a satisfactory definition of these commonly used chess terms is more difficult than one might suppose. Tactics Chess is a game of strategy where two people pit their wits by mobilizing their pieces and developing plans based on such elements as force the numerical value of the various pieces , time the efficiency with which the pieces are developed , space the territory controlled by each player , and pawn structure.
Good players like to pick a strategy and follow it to its logical conclusion. Unfortunately, they're often thwarted by a strange randomizing factor known as tactics. Tactics can both support your own strategy and destroyyour opponent's strategy. They take the wind out of general strategic plans because they have the power to completely and advantageously change any situation. Thus, we arrive at this definition of tactics: Tactics are maneuvers that fLlke ailvanflJge ifshort-term opportunities.
You've enjoyed a scrumptious banquet, and the game has been laced with heady amounts of port. Your neighbor must now face your guillotine.
Under no circumstances do you want to lose. Your strategy is to control the center and prepare an inexorable Kingside assault. Who can argue with the principle of such an approach? However, in the middle of the plan, your opponent engineers a Knight fork that picks up one of your Rooks. You're busted, and your game falls apart.
A brilliant strategy wrecked by a simple Knight fork. Where did you make your mistake? You are the victim of a tactic. Clearly, you have lots to learn. Conversely, you can use tactics to your advantage. They can act as an early warning system that prevents your opponent from intruding on your plans with tricks of his own. As you work through the lessons in this book, you will come to realize that tactics are actually the guard dogs of strategy. By staying on top of the tactical possibilities, you will be able to defend yourself against your opponent's tactical forays and force him to follow the strategic path you want him to tread.
Combinations In the classical chess literature, there has been tremendous disagreement as to the true meaning of the term combination.
Surely the World Champion Emanuel Lasker he enjoyed a year reign- ne of the longest in history should know what a combination is! Let's take a look at his thoughts on the subject: In the rare instances in which the player can detect a variation, or set of variations.
Lasker's definition has several problems. Combinations of some sort can be found in the majority of master games, sometimes in the moves actually played and often in the variations hidden behind those moves. Third, Lasker fails to mention that all combinations include a sacrifice. Fourth and perhaps most important, he claims that combinations necessarily lead to a "desirable issue by force," leaving out any possibility that a combination could fail and lead to the loss of the game.
What about a situation in which you have a clear advantage, try a beautiful combinative idea, and after a perfect defense from your opponent. Is an unsound combination no longer a combination simply because it is flawed? Certainly not! Note Botvinnik's use of the word sacrifice. He is saying that the marriage of a forcing series of moves with a sacrifice makes a combination. This definition is easy to read and understand but falls short of the mark because of the final few words, "gains an objective advantage.
So we have managed to define the beast, but does this definition make it easier for you to recognize a combination? Not at all! To develop a feeling for combinations, we must break them down into types that you can familiarize yourself with.
I discuss each type in detail in the chapters that follow. Two books in particular, Averbakh's Tactics for the Advanced Player Sporverlag Berlin, and Silman's How to Reassess Your Chess Davenport: Thinkers' Press, , suggest useful shortcuts that make it easier to recognize situations where tactics and combinations might exist Let's look at some of these authors' theories. Averbakh's Rules of Recognition Averbakh considers that almost all combinations are based in some way on a double attack: If we regard the term "double attack" in a broader sense than has been done up to now by theoreticians, namely not merely as a two-pronged attack but as a combination of attacks and threats, we notice that the double attack in one form or another is the basis of most tactical operations.
At first I didn't want to agree with such a simplified view, but the more I thought about it, the more sensible Averbakh's theory sounded.
The double attack is tremendously important, and I recommend that you spend a good deal oftime going over the examples of double attacks in ChapterTwo. Once you have mastered the material there and have moved on, you will notice that the combinations in later chapters also involve double attacks, which seems to confirm Averbakh's theory.
When a King has no legal moves, tactics that produce check also result in checkmate. Such a piece appears to be safe, but a sudden double attack can place the piece in jeopardy by adding another attacker.
If you notice one or more of these factors on the board, Silman contends that you should look for a combination. However, if none of these factors is present, it is doubtful that a combination will materialize. Well, that's it for the definitions. It wasn't so bad, was it? Now you need to train yourself to spot combinations. How do you do that? You will then be a very dangerous opponent! Beginning players quickly learn that a simple attack against a single enemy piece or pawn can easily be countered in a variety of ways.
Although some experts maintain that a double attack must involve two different pieces, I also consider forks attacking two pieces or pawns with just one piece or pawn to be double attacks. It doesn't qualify as a combination for two reasons: First, a double attack can be one move as opposed to a series of moves; and second, a double attack doesn't necessarily involve a sacrifice.
Many other tactical themes involve double attacks; these themes are studied in later chapters. Here, we11look at the double attack in its purest forms. Discovered Attacks A discovered attack is essentially an ambush. Here's a general definition: Queen, Rook, or Bishop lies in wait so that it can attack when another piece or pawn of its own color moves out of its way. A Let's look at some examples. White to play. Diagram 1 shows a simple but clear example of a discovered attack.
If White moves his Bishop, he will create a discovered attack on the Black Queen with the Rook on el. However, moves like l. Bd3 or l. Bf3 don't accomplish much because Black would sidestep his Queen to safety on d6 or f6. This is where the double attack comes in handy.
By playing 1. After you have grasped the principle in an example, it can be instructive to change the position a bit to see how the change affects the result. What if the Black Rook were on a8 instead of c8? In Diagram 2, Black has two Knights 6 points vs. Unfortunately, both Knights are undefended. White creates a discovered attack with 1.
Black, to his sorrow, is forced to part with a Knight. Quiet moves like LBe3 or 1. Bc3 don't take advantage of the situation no double attack! QeB or However, White can attack both the Queen and the Bishop on e7 with the surprising 1. While 10 play. After 1. He could move his Queen to safety with l Qe8, but then the point of 1.
Bg5 would be obvious: White would be attacking the Bishop on e7 with both his Queen and his Bishop while Black would be defending his Bishop only once with his Queen.
Then, with the simple 2. Bxe7, White would pick up a piece for free a gain of 3 points. Although most players hate to part with their Queen, a much better move for Black is 1. True, Black loses his Queen 9points.
But in return, he gains a Rook and a Bishop for a total of Bpoints. He is down only 1 point and can still put up a tough fight. There is another possibility in the position. Always remember the words of the great Emanuel Lasker: "When you see a good move, look for a beller one! Inexperienced players have a tendency to make the first move that looks good. Instead of the strong l. This move wins a pawn I point because the Bishop is invulnerable due to the discovered attack on Black's Queen.
It is not a double attack because only one Black piece the Queen is threatened. BgS or I. BM still a good move? Black is now able to step out of harm's way with l QfS because 2. Bxe7 Qxe7 leads only to an even trade of pieces. Previously she joined in the attack against the Bishop on e7. Because I.
Bg5 now fails to yield any advantage, White is better off playing either l. Bxh6, which wins a pawn, or the stronger 1. After l. Qf8 2. Discovered Checks The most effective type of discovered attack involves checking the enemy King. This type of discovered attack is even stronger if it includes a double attack.
Because of the check, the opponent is helpless to prevent the other attacking piece or pawn from devouring its victim. Let's look at a few examples of discovered checks. If we do nothing but count points, the position in Diagram 5 appears to be very good for Black. His Queen 9 points outguns White's Bishop on a1 3 points.
When White attacks the Black Queen with l. This discovered check is Black's doom. He must get out of check with 1. KgB, whereupon White calmly eats the Black Queen with 2. White now has an extra piece and a commanding 3-point advantage.
Diagram 6 shows another example of a crushing discovered check attack. White plays the kamikaze l. Black would dearly love to take the unprotected White Rook with I Poor Black is forced to play 1. Kxh7, after which 2. Rxd6 picks up the Black Queen and gives White a material advantage. By now you probably realize that it is not a good idea to leave your Queen opposite a Rook, no matter how many pieces are between them!
One of the guiding strategic principles of chess is When you are ahead in material, it is a good idea to make even trades. Because as the number of pieces you have on the board decreases, the relative importance of a material advantage-even of only a pawn-increases.
In his attempt to force an ending without Queens, Black plays L.. Is this a good move? By attacking White's Rook, Black hopes, after something like 2. Rf4 or 2. Re7, to exchange Queens. Unfortunately for Black. He has forgotten that his Queen is completely undefended. Black to play. With 2. Black must get out of check, but after he captures the offensive Rook with Nxe8 or Rxe8, White snaps off the Black Queen with 3.
Was Black wrong to want to trade pieces? No, but he went about it in an unfortunate way. The correct route is the simple 1. Qxe3will leave Black with a solid extra pawn. Note that White's discovered check tactic no longer works. Qxd5 fails to Nxd5 because the Knight on e3 is protecting Black's Queen.
According to an eloquent old friend of mine, the moral of this story is Don't leave yourstuffunprotected. It might get chopped off! It's important to note that the seven board positions we've looked at so far are simple illustrations of a tactical theme.
Diagrams 6 and 7 also offer us our first glimpses of combinations. In Diagram 7, we saw a sacrifice2. Black had to get out of check, so White achieved his goal of capturing the undefended enemy Queen. This type of check tends to be very strong because it checks the King with two pieces.
The King is forced to move, and the enemy anny is thus frozen for at least one move. In Diagram 8, White is a pawn ahead, but appears to be on the verge of defeat because his Rook is pinned by the Black Bishop.
After Black captures White's Rook. Black will be the one with the edge in material. Don'tforget that a pinned piece is still able to check! Black would love to capture the Rook or Bishop, but his King is being attacked by two pieces, and he can't chop off both the offenders at the same time. Black's best reply is L KgB. Then 2. Diagram 9 is a silly but graphic example of a discovered attack turned into a double check.
Black is so far ahead in material that one would expect White to give up and do something more enjoyable with his time. The first few tests in the next section will be reasonably easy, but they will get harder. In fact, some of them are very hard. Don't get discouraged if you don't get all the answers! Instead, just relax, do your best, and study the solutions given in Chapter Twenty-Four.
Tests TEST 1. It's Black's move. White has given Black the chance to capture his pawn on g2 with l Is this a trap? Should Black munch the g2-pawn? TEST 2. With material even in a boring endgame, this game seems destined for a draw. But tactics can be used in the most innocent settings.
It's White's tum to play. Can he win material? TEST 3. Black's game appears to be fine. He has plenty of space for his army, the Black Bishop is more active than its counterpart, and the Black passed pawn on d4 is solidly defended.
How can he tum the tables? It's White's move. As a result, Black is feeling pretty good about himself. It seems that White's best chance is l. Rdl c6 2. Bxdl Bxb2, leaving Black with an extra pawn for the ending. Can you fmd anything better for White? TEST 5. Black's Queen and Rook are putting formidable pressure on the e-file. White must worry about the e3-pawn being swallowed with check and then a Black Knight sinking into the fine e4-square.
TEST 6. As I mentioned, tactics and combinations are the foundation of classical chess play. I had to rummage through the dustier parts of my library for this position, which is the conclusion of a study by a gifted chess "composer," A.
Troitzky, in ! Studies are compositions that highlight unusual tactical themes. In this study, White has an extra pawn and is one step away from queening. If White tries 1. Kb6, protecting the pawn and threatening to move the Rook, Black will chase the White King away with l Can White win by creating a discovered check? In correspondence chess, the players play by mail, exchanging a move every two weeks.
Some games take years! His Bishop blocks his Rook on d7 from attacking the f7-pawn. However, most Bishop moves allow Black to cover the f7-pawn by retreating with Can you find a way to use a discovered attack against the f7-pawn to finish off Black?
TEST 8. White's Bishops are bearing down on the Black King. Black is willing to suffer this pin because he is up a piece for two pawns. Furthermore, Black is cheered by the fact that White's Rook is pinned and is about to be eaten by the Bishop on g4.
It's White's turn to play. How can he put both of his Bishops to work? Forks Forks are tactical maneuvers in which a piece or pawn attacks two enemy pieces or pawns at the same time.
Many beginners think that only Knights can accomplish forks. But in fact other pieces, including the King, are capable of attacking two enemy men at the same time. In this section, we'll look at how each piece can create a fork. In a later section, I'll show you how pawns can create forks. Let's start with the dreaded Knights! However, if you take the time to study the Knight's eccentric way of moving, you will notice that the Knight can never attack squares of two different colors at the same time.
This knowledge can sometimes come in handy when you are choosing where to put your men in the face of Knight threats. Because of the Knight's unusual way of hopping around the board, beginners are often taken by surprise and fmd themselves the victim of a Knight fork.
Here are some examples. In Diagram 10, the force count is even, but White changes the situation dramatically with l.
Black must move his King, which allows2. Nxa8 and puts White ahead by a whole Rook. The position in Diagram 1 1 revolves around the same theme. With l. A fork that attacks the King and the Queen is called a royal fork. I've been the victim of this often enough. When it happens to you, don't become "Knight phobic.
Delete template? Are you sure you want to delete your template? Cancel Delete. Cancel Overwrite Save. Terms of service. Privacy policy. Cookie policy. He has plenty of space for his army, the Black Bishop is more active than its counterpart, and the Black passed pawn on d4 is solidly defended.
How can he tum the tables? TEST 4. It's White's move. As a result, Black is feeling pretty good about himself. It seems that White's best chance is l. Rdl c6 2. Bxdl Bxb2, leaving Black with an extra pawn for the ending. Can you fmd anything better for White? TEST 5. Black's Queen and Rook are putting formidable pressure on the e-file. White must worry about the e3-pawn being swallowed with check and then a Black Knight sinking into the fine e4-square.
TEST 6. As I mentioned, tactics and combinations are the foundation of classical chess play. I had to rummage through the dustier parts of my library for this position, which is the conclusion of a study by a gifted chess "composer," A.
Troitzky, in ! Studies are compositions that highlight unusual tactical themes. In this study, White has an extra pawn and is one step away from queening. If White tries 1. Kb6, protecting the pawn and threatening to move the Rook, Black will chase the White King away with l Can White win by creating a discovered check?
TEST 7. In correspondence chess, the 11 ft players play by mail, exchanging a move every it two weeks. Some games take years!
His Bishop blocks his Rook on d7 from attacking the f7-pawn. However, most Bishop moves allow Black to cover the f7-pawn by retreating with Can you find a way to use a discovered attack against the f7-pawn to finish off Black? TEST 8. White's Bishops are bearing down on the Black King. Black is willing to suffer this pin because he is up a piece for two pawns. Furthermore, Black is cheered by the fact that White's Rook is pinned and is about to be eaten by the Bishop on g4.
It's White's turn to play. How can he put both of his Bishops to work? Forks Forks are tactical maneuvers in which a piece or pawn attacks two enemy pieces or pawns at the same time. Many beginners think that only Knights can accomplish forks.
But in fact other pieces, including the King, are capable of attacking two enemy men at the same time. In this section, we'll look at how each piece can create a fork. In a later section, I'll show you how pawns can create forks.
Let's start with the dreaded Knights! Knight Forks Most beginning chess players live in fear of the enemy Knights. However, if you take the time to study the Knight's eccentric way of moving, you will notice that the Knight can never attack squares of two different colors at the same time. This knowledge can sometimes come in handy when you are choosing where to put your men in the face of Knight threats. Because of the Knight's unusual way of hopping around the board, beginners are often taken by surprise and fmd themselves the victim of a Knight fork.
Here are some examples. In Diagram 10, the force count is even, but White changes the situation dramatically with l. Black must move his King, which allows2. Nxa8 and puts White ahead by a whole Rook. The position in Diagram 1 1 revolves around the same theme. With l. A fork that attacks the King and the Queen is called a royal fork.
I've been the victim of this often enough. When it happens to you, don't become "Knight phobic. Ke7 2. But to his horror he notices that a new fork has been created! Now his Rooks on bl and h7 are both under attack, and one must be lost. This second fork shows that a fork does not always involve a check: All pieces are vulnerable. Kc6 2. Rxa7, the Rook has gobbled a Knight. Queen Forks Because the Queen moves like a Rook and a Bishop, it stands to reason that the Queen can fork like either of these pieces, with even greater effect.
From the position in Diagram 14, the White Queen will show her power and terrorize the whole Black army. White attacks with l. Kds 2. Qxa2 2. With 3. After 3 Kh6 4. The interposition, l. However, White can turn the tables with l. This fork means the certain capture of either Black's Knight or Rook. Black would be well advised to save his more valuable Rook.
As this example shows, even the stately King can fork other hapless pieces. Forks as Combinations Now that you understand the fork as a tactic, we can take the next step and see how this tactic can be changed into a combination. Nice and simple. Let's increase the difficulty level a bit with the position in Diagram 17, which is similar to the one in Diagram Here, Black's Bishop is still unprotected on c6, but this time his King is safer.
White could try for a fork with l. Qc2, creating a double attack on g6 and c6. However, Black could then defend himself with either l Qe8, which guards both c6 and g6, or the retreat l Clearly, White needs to take a more forceful approach. The correct move is 1.
The important word here is create. A good player doesn't just sit around and hope that a tactic will materialize; he uses every means at his disposal to make it happen. Black now faces a decision. If he doesn't take White's Bishop, it will retreat to safety, having enjoyed its pawn snack. TIlls example of a sacrifice to gain a pawn is known as a petite combinaison a small combination because it involves only three moves.
We'll discuss these grandes combinaisons later. Though the body of knowledge that we call "chess theory" has made tremendous strides in the last years, the nature of combinations has remained essentially the same.
The one area in which players of the 19th century were the equals of modern-day masters is in combinative play. Now take a look at Diagrams 18 and In Diagram Nxd5 leads to the capture of a pawn. Black's Queen defends the c7-square, preventing a Knightfork However. White can use a common sacrifice to draw the Black Queen away from c7 and allow the fork to take place after all. White begins with l. Qxd5 Oeaving c7 undefended 2.
Kd7 3. White regains his Queen with a one-pawn advantage. Now compare Diagrams 18 and 19 again. Why was the position in Diagram 18 easier to play than the one in Diagram 19? The reason is mostly psychological. We've been taught not to give the Queen away. Does this reluctance to sacrifice mean that you will never master combinations?
Will you have to go through hours of brainwashing or hypnosis to break down these mental barriers? Of course not! The trick is to isolate and understand the various types oftactics. Only then will you be able to put them all together to razzle-dazzle your stunned opponent. Here's another example. In Diagram 20, Black is down a pawn, but he has been counting on this position to bring him victory.
Triumphantly playing 1. The move certainly looks powerful. Not only does it win back the pawn, but Black's Knight now forks White's Rooks. Unfortunately for Black, the move is actually awful. White calmly slides his Bishop to the middle of the board with 2.
Black's smile turns to a frown, and he hangs his head in resignation. He has to lose his Knight because getting out of check overrides all other considerations. Imagine that the sad loser of the position in Diagram 20 was stung by the reversal he suffered in that game. He was a good student of chess, though, and he made a point of never falling into the same trap twice.
A few weeks later, he is faced with the position in Diagram 21 and has another chance to chop off a b3- pawn. Feeling very wise, he notes that Rxb3 would be a terrible blunder because of 2. Black 10 play.
Nxb3 seems safe. Rxb3 3. Let's compare two more positions. In Diagram 22, White forks the King and a pawn with l.
The position in Diagram 23 is identical to that of Diagram 22, with the addition of the Knights. This addition seems to make Black's life easier. Nxg4 2. Black loses a pawn. With 1. The simple Rc3 would have been a stronger move. White's King shows its muscle with 2. Black is forced to give up either his Rook, Knight, or Bishop, and he goes on to lose the game.
This game teaches an important lesson: Never check just becauseyou can. Be sure that you gain from making a check, not your opponent. America'sfonner World Champion, Robert Fischer, once made a premature check that spoiled a beautiful position that had taken him hours to create. In Diagram 25, Black is a pawn up, but the position is still tricky. Hoping to use his extra pawn, Black plays 1.
White's reply comes as a shock: 2. Nxd4 3. Black is forced to part with another piece, giving White an advantage in material. Now try some tests that involve forks. As usual, 1'11 start with easy positions and then gradual1y increase the level of difficulty.
Good luck. Tests TEST 9. He is tempted to grab the a4-pawn. Is this the best move? TEST White has two things going for him: the possibility of a fork on e7, currently prevented by the Black Rook on c7, and pressure against Black's c6-pawn. Does White have any way to make these advantages bear fruit? TEST 1 1. How would you take advantage of this position? TEST 1 2. This position is taken from one of my own games. Fortunately for me, Black's King is very weak and his Bishop on a3 is not defended.
How did I take advantage of these two factors? TEST 1 3. It's my move and material is even, but that undefended Knight on d7 gives me a chance that I am quick to take. What did I play? This position is a really tough one for him. Can you find the beautiful solution? TEST 1 5. It's Black's turn to play. He doesn't seem to have any fork possibilities here. Can you create one? TEST 1 6. This position occurred in a game I played in my first US Championship. Texas Joe Bradford is known as a tough man to beal.
He has good central control and enjoys more space than r do. I'm Black, and it's my move. How was I able ". Bradford-Seirawan US Championship, Double Attacks by a Pawn Pawns are one of the paradoxes ofchess: The fact thatpawns are considered weak makes the much-stronger minor pieces and the major pieces fear them. You don't believe me? To support my argument. Fine Pasadena, 1 Who would guess that the player handling the Black pieces, Reuben Fine, would become one of the world's greatest chess masters?
Remember, good players become good only after suffering lots of defeats. So take heart! Over the years, opening schemes that have stood the test of time have been given names. Openings have been named for the nationality of players who championed their cause Russian Defense, French Defense, English Opening, and so forth or for the place where games featuring that opening were played Merano Defense, Cambridge Springs Defense, Catalan Opening, and so on.
However, the most common practice is to name an opening for the individual who introduced the scheme into tournament play. Black's first move, Nf6 in response to 1. Black's strategy is to allow White to push his center pawns, hoping that they will become overextended and turn into targets. The strategy is a risky one. The Knight has no choice but to do as it's bidden, evidence of the pawn paradox.
The more valuable pieces cannot allow themselves to be traded for a lowly pawn, so they must run from its slightest threat! NbG 4. A blunder. Black should have challenged White's center with So it's a battle between Black's Knights and White's pawns.
The mighty steeds don't stand a chance! Nxe5 Black would also lose after Nb4 6. Now that we have seen the pawns in action, we can take a look at their virtues:. In Diagram 26, Black should play l This pawn.. Amazing, but true: The two mighty Black pieces are helpless against the lowly White pawn!
By creating a pawn fork in Diagram 27, White has two ways of winning material. One method is l. If Black answers with either 1. The other possibility is l. BxeS 2. The cleric's only retreat, 2 Bd6. These examples make it clear that pawns are a menace. If you can't completely eradicate the critters, you must respectfully tiptoe around them. Don't make them mad: They obviously bite! Discovered Attacks with Pawns Aside from forking, pawns can also take part in discovered attacks.
As shown in Diagram 28, White can create a discovered attack with l. White's Bishop on b2 suddenly threatens Black's Queen, while Black's Bishop on ds is ambushed by the pawn. Black loses material. TEST 1 8. Black's position seems to be secure, but he is actually set up for a knockout punch.
White has a Rook and two pawns for E. However, the d6-pawn is threatened by :It 1 Black's Knight on eS. Although White could defend the pawn by playing l. Rcdl , he could instead force a sequence of moves that features the tactics I've shown. Can you find the second solution? Frustration alert!
Kikovic-Forintos This problem isn't easy! Budapest, W hen you attack a piece that your opponent cannot move without losing a different piece of greater value, you are pinning the first piece. When the piece of greater value is the King, this tactic is called an absolute pin; when it is not the King, the tactic is called a relative pin. Clearly an absolute pin is a far more serious threat than a relative pin because your opponent absolutely cannot move the pinned piece.
Bear in mind that any piece is vulnerable to a pin, but only a Queen, Bishop, or Rook can do the pinning-a King, Knight, or pawn can only play the victim. Let's look at the absolute pin first. Absolute Pins Pins occur during all phases of the game, but they are most common in the opening. An example of a typical absolute pin in the opening is as follows: l. Nf3 Ne6 3. Nc3 d6 4. The result is shown in Diagram Should Black panic at the first sign of such a pin? VVhite then has to decide whether to trade pieces with 5.
Ba4 and allow Black to break the pin with 5. If Black doesn't want to weaken his Queenside pawns, he would be wiser to play Bd7 instead. This move gives the Knight an extra defender and simultaneously breaks the pin.
Although this particular pin does not prove to be fearsome, an absolute pin can have a powerful impact on many positions. Pins are particularly useful in fixing a piece on a vulnerable square so that it can he won at your leisure. Pins can also prevent a piece from taking part in an offensive or defensive maneuver elsewhere on the board.
Diagram 30 picks up the previous example where we left it. White has played the useful move d2-d4. Taking advantage of the situation, White now plays l. The poor Black Knight is unable to run away from the pawn, and White wins a piece. It's that simple. Don't let a pin freeze your pieces on doomed squares. Here's another opening sequence that commonly occurs in the games of beginners: l. Black's frrst two moves are known as I the Scandinavian Defense. It is not a good choice for an opening.
Some of the ideas that make up the science of chess have been used for centuries - millennia, in fact. They have been researched, recreated, and refined to suit our purposes and are used by today's Grandmasters to reach the perennial goal: to win that next game of chess.
You'll find all these rules explained in Play Winning Chess. For those of you who don't know luft from afork and counterplay from a blockade, I have added a glossary at the end of this book. If you come across a word or phrase you don't know, look it up in the glossary before continuing on; otherwise, you might miss a crucial bit of information in the explanation of a strategy or description of a game. If you can't.
But isn't positional chess boring':' Isn't it more exciting to sacrifice a few pieces and hack your enemy's King to death':' Yes. You will learn that haymaker blows must come from positionally superior situations. Few amateur players work at developing their strategic skills, so the fact that you are reading this book should give you an enonnous advantage over your competition. Imagine your oppo- 6 Introduction nents' positions falling apart again and again, and imagine their frustration when they can't figure out why they keep losing to you!
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