7/23/2019 How to Calculate Chess Tactics

1/2

HOW TO CALCULATE CHESS TACTICS

by Valeri Beim

Part 1: Tactics in Chess

What are Tactics and Combinations?

Tactics are the instrument by which one solves concrete problems arising from the pursuit

of strategic aims.

Tactics deal with current problems, that is, problems which need to be solved here and

now. Another very important factor, it seems to me, is that in chess the distinction between

tactical and other methods of solving a particular problem results to a significant extent from the

players emotional perception. What mean is that chess!players traditionally consider an

operation to belong to the realm of tactic when it is at first glance unexpected, non!standard,

often sharply changing the development of the action on the board, or its intensity. n ordinarylife, such events are fre"uently described as revolutionary.

Tactics in chess consist of two basic elements# tactical blows $sometimes called

combinative blows% and combinations.

A Tactical Blo

&irstly, tactical blow can be an independent thing, and need not always have a

continuation in the form of a combination. 'econdly, a tactical blow is not always connected

with a sacrifice $and, indeed, doesnt have to be the first move of a combination, although this is

an insignificant detail%, but it must always be (revolutionary, i.e. radically changing the situationon the board.

A tactical blow is merely the smallest individual unit which exists within the overall

phenomenon that we call tactics.

The Combination

A combination is a system of tactical blows and their interconnections, having a forcing

character, and leading to favorable conse"uences for the perpetrator.

t is a system, because in a combination, often an initial tactical blow and its immediateconse"uences are fre"uently followed, after a few moves, by another tactical blow, and so on.

The forcing nature of a combination is an important element, while their interconnections

provide for a series of moves, not themselves containing a revolutionary element. a combination

aims to bring an advantage to its perpetrator

n summary#

7/23/2019 How to Calculate Chess Tactics

2/2

). *hess tactics are concerned with problems which re"uire urgent resolution.

+. *hess!layers traditionally consider as tactics methods of play which at first glance

appear unexpected, unorthodox, often changing radically the direction of events on the board or

the intensity with which these events flow. n other words, things which are generally called

radical or revolutionary.

-. Tactics is an abstract conception. t materialies on the board in the form of tactical

blows, which are themselves a form of revolution in chess, and are at the same time the smallest

elements within tactic. t is from these elements, or building bloc/s, that combinations are

const0ructed. A combination is a system of tactical blows and their interconnections, having a

forcing character and intended to be to the advantage of the perpetrator.

Tactical blows do not only occur as part of combinations, but can also appear in isolation,

although this is relatively rare.

n situations where it is not immediately obvious how your piece activity can be

converted into victory, the player who wields the initiative should see/ the most promising way

forward and ma/e a few steps in that direction. 1nce you have done so, you can see things more

clearly than is the case in an earlier position, and the path to victory, if it exists, often becomes

clear.

When in time trouble, it is often useful for the stronger side to repeat moves $only not

three times%, so as to defer important decisions until he can consider them in more detail.

Tactics in Practice

The calculation only of forcing variations enables the player to concentrate his attention

on only a relatively narrow area, which eases his tas/.

2aving missed one possibility to decide the game by a tactical blow, if another one arises

it is usually more complicated and therefore more difficult for the player to see. When a player

misses a chance to decide the game by a tactical blow, he complicates his tas/ considerably and

may well place the win in doubt.

Blo !or Blo

n most cases, it is the attac/er who lands tactical blows, but it also happens occasionallythat the defender finds a tactical resource in reply.