Chess Tactics

Chess Tactics Chess Tactics Alexander Kotov Translated and edited by John Littlewood American Chess Promotion, Macon, Georgia First published in the United States 1 983 © Estate of Alexander Kotov, 1 983 ISBN 0 71 3-4 2562 8 (li_mp) Printed in Great Britain for the publishers American Chess Promotions 3055 General Lee Road Macon, Georgia 31 204 Contents Preface Introduction l 2 The Combination Mating Combinations vi vii 1 6 3 Game Patterns 4 Combinations I nvolving Pawns 50 56 5 The Genesis of Combinations 84 6 Combinations Exploiting Piece Placings 91 7 Beauty and I magination 1 18 8 Tactical Finesses 1 25 9 Conclusion Translator•s Note I ndcx of Pia yers 1 37 1 42 1 45 Preface In order to play chess wel l, it is vital ly important, along with the need to evaluate a position correctly and form suitable plans, to be able to produce accurately calculated combinations when the conditions are right for them. Most combtnations consist of a series of forced moves, usually involving a sacrifice, which lead to either material or positional advantage, if not mate. In the present volume we first examine briefly the background and then attempt the difficult task of classifying the vast range of com­ binations in a way which we hope will prove useful to the reader. By thus pin-pointing the basic elements of the combination and studying its mechanism, we must surely remove some of that unne�essary fear or unquestioning admiration which many players experience when faced with a lengthy and complex combination . If the careful reader can then begin to apply to his own games the lessons in tactics that he acquires, the author's efforts will be amply rewarded. Alexander Kotov Introduction Many grandmasters testify to the profound impression which their first encounter with the game of chess made on them. How romantic and mysterious did the appearance and movements of the various pieces seem to their young gaze! The fleet-footed bishop, sturdily dependable rook, voraciously powerful queen, not forgetting that restless spirit, the fearless knight, nimbly leaping over those foat-soldiers, the humble pawns, mostly cannon-fodder lending support to their officers or preparing to be sacrificed for the greater good, but occasionally, as if by magic, being promoted to the top of the hierarchy! Gradually, and in some respects sadly, theoretical knowledge dispelled the mists of this first impression, revealing the iron logic of strategic ideas and affording a glimpse of the ultimate truth in chess attainable solely via the path of hard work and methodical training. Once a chess-player has acquired elementary knowledge and is ready to test himself in the hard school of practical play, he soon learns to recognize that the three pillars of chess wisdom are: the art of combination, the ability to calculate variations rapidly an� accurately, and finally the under­ standing and creative application of strategic principles. This chess wisdom enables the master to respond pertinently to the two basic questions constantly facing him: what to do and how to do it. The first involves strategy, the second tactics. Strategic plans can be many and varied, ranging from switching a piece to a strong square to the regrouping of a whole wing, involving decisions about whether to close the centre or when to launch an attack, and so on. The success in carrying out such plans largely depends upon our tactical ability; not only must we be capable of exploiting the means at hand, but we must also be aware of the tactics available to our opponent. These underlying strategic and tactical possibilities determine the char­ acter of the positio