A concerted action of two or more chessmen designed to achieve a specific objective, such as to gain material advantage or to win a more favorable position, or to effect a checkmate.
For a ‘Petite Combinaison’ (French names used by Capablanca), let us see the game Tartakower-Capablanca, New York 1924. Tartakower played 9.Bxb8 hoping for Rxb8 then 9. Qa4+ followed by Qxb4, but Capablanca played the subtle 9…Nxd5 threatening 10…Ne3 with a win.
For a ‘Longue Combinaison’ let us go the famous game Mason-Szymon [C50], Vienna 1st Vienna (27), 13.06.1882.
Botvinnik said: A combination is a forced variation with sacrifice.
ECHESSPEDIA
Quotes of the Day
I think I would beat Tal pretty easily. Fischer would be more difficult, but I think I could beat him too.
Magnus Carlsen
Fischer wanted to prove that all world championship games after his victory were prearranged. He did not convince me.
Vishy Anand 2008
The blunders are all there on the board, waiting to be made.
Savielly Tartakower
Never felt more like singin’ the blues, cos I never thought that I’d ever lose…
Vladimir Kramnik 2017
I’ve been playing chess professionally for 35 years! It’s a long time, and when people can still say that they enjoy my chess, that’s great.
Nigel Short 2016
