The Chess Combination from Philidor to Karpov

Chess Grandmaster Raymond Keene chronicles the history of the development of the chess combination as an art form. In 86 complete games in descriptive starting from the 15th century, Keene provides examples of combinations played by Greco, Philidor, Mac Donnell, Von der Lasa, Staunton, Anderssen, Morphy, Zukertort, Steinitz, Lasker, Cabablanca, Alekhine, Euwe, Botvinnik, Keres, Smyslov, Tal, Petrosian, Spassky, Fischer, Karpov and Korchnoi. The brilliant combinations which adorn the games of such great Masters of Chess present a miraculous facade to the chess enthusiast, with apparently inexplicable sacrifices leading inevitably to checkmate. In fact, not gaining the ability to carry out decisive combinations at critical moments of the game often proves the major stumbling block in the path towards mastery. Raymond Keene has examined the advance of combinational ideas from the 15th century to the present day. Not only has he drawn on his own extensive experience as a chess teacher and international player, he has also collected the most beautiful and intricate combinations from chess history, examining them deeply in order to isolate those specific themes and special factors which permit a successful combination to be played. This volume will not only improve the playing strength of club and tournament players (for a study of the very best combinations will surely sharpen tactical skill), but will also prove a source of aesthetic pleasure and excitement to the lover of the game of chess. In the words of Rudolph Spielmann: “The beauty of the game of chess is usually appraised according to the sacrifices it contains. The growing power of the sacrifice is irresistible: enthusiasm of sacrifice lies in Man's nature.”