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by Georgi Orlov
Tactics and combinations are very important, if not the most important part of a chess game. After all, at some point every chess game comes to position that requires a tactical solution. It could be a very simple solution, like checkmate in two or more moves, or more complex, like winning a piece after a series of moves. Every chessplayer must train his (her) tactical ability, particularly before playing in a tournament. Exercises like the solving of chess puzzles are very helpful. There are plenty of books and software available for this purpose.
There are many kinds of tactical motiffs, and while covering all of them would take a whole book, some important ones can be mentioned here.
Demolition of the King’s Pawn Cover
This one usually involves a sacrifice of a piece at h7, g7 or f7 squares (a7, b7, c7 for a Black King that has castled queenside, and corresponding squares on the second row if Black attacks White’s position).
WHITE TO MOVE AND WIN
White has a large amount of attacking pieces on the kingside and now he needs to pull Black’s King out into the open, so he starts with:
1.Bxh7+! Kxh7
Now the castled position is broken and White pieces have an easy target.
2.Qh5+ Kg8 3.Ng5 Re8 4.Qxf7+ Kh8 5.Qh5+ Kg8 6.Qh7+ Kf8 7.Qh8+ Ke7 8.Qxg7, checkmate.
Decoy
WHITE TO MOVE AND WIN
The connection between the f7-square and e5 is obvious. The immediate Nf3-e5 is bad, of course. Instead, White makes Black’s King come to f7 where he can fork him with a Knight.
1.Bxf7+! Kxf7 2.Ne5+ followed by Ne5xd3. White wins a Rook back, while reaching a winning ending.
Distracting a Defender
BLACK TO MOVE AND WIN
White’s Queen has too many responsibilities, she protects both Bishops and defends the a6-f1 diagonal as well. Such an overworked piece is said to be “overloaded.” Black easily wins by distracting White’s Queen from defending the important f2-square.
1...Ba6! 2.b5 Bxb5! 3.Qxb5 Qxf2, checkmate.
Clearance
Sometimes, there is a situation where a piece blocks the way of another piece. It makes sense to sacrifice such a piece for the greater good.
Bogoljubov-Capablanca, Germany 1928
BLACK TO MOVE AND FORCE MATE
White’s King is in a mating net. It’s rather obvious that the e4-square should be freed for the advance of Black’s e-pawn. Black wins instantly by sacrificing his Knight, which blocks the e-pawn from moving forward.
1...Nc5+! 2.dxc5 (or 2.Rxc5) 2…e4, checkmate.
Elimination of a Defender
BLACK TO MOVE AND WIN
Both Black Rooks attack the opponent’s pieces. White’s Bishop defends the Knight. The logic of the position is clear: Black destroys White’s Bishop and then takes Knight.
1...Rxe3! 2.fxe3 Rxd2 and Black has a winning ending.
The Gain of a Crucial Square
BLACK TO MOVE AND WIN
White’s King is obviously vulnerable. Black’s Rook is under attack and, if he moves it to safety, White would gain time to set up a defense for his King. For instance, 1…Rh1 2.Bf1 Rh2+ 3.Kg1. Since Black’s Queen needs to be able to penetrate on h3, she takes the opportunity to leap to this key crucial square right away (even though this calls for the sacrifice of the Rook!), secure in the knowledge that the combined might of the Queen and Bishop should be enough to drag White’s King down.
1...Qh3!! 2.Kxg1 Bh2+!
Black only has an army of two, but both are directly participating in the assault.
3.Kh1
Running to f2 (via 3.Kf2) doesn’t help due to 3...Qg3+ 4.Kf1 Qg1, checkmate.
3...Bg3+ 4.Kg1 Qh2+ 5.Kf1 Qh1, checkmate.
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