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
Ten years ago I said that 2010 would be the end, chess would be exhausted. But it is not true, chess will not die so quickly.
Vishy Anand 2008
When you see a good move, look for a better one
Emanuel Lasker
Fischer’s strength, among other things, was his ability to evolve the most efficient plan for the middlegame right after the opening.
Boris Spassky
Every chessmaster was once a beginner.
Irving Chernev
Drawing general conclusions about your main weaknesses can provide a great stimulus to further growth.
Alexander Kotov
