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its 'rate' rises. This diminishes the chance of an end­ game combination. If we consider further that, as far as the combination is concerned, only the momentary fighting value of the participating men is of importance, then it goes without saying that the percentage value of the developed pieces is highest in the opening stages, and that therefore in this phase of the game also, the sacrifice of a piece must be carefully considered. It is true that these latter considerations refer to a certain kind of com­ bination only, that is sacrificial combinations, but it is just these which occur most frequently.

The combinations in the opening or in the end-game generally involve less sacrifices and as a rule centre round minor aims. In the opening the chief aim is the formation of a centre, as for instance with the frequently recurring

temporary sacrifice

(I

P-K 4, P-K 4 ;

2

Kt-K B 3,

Kt-Q B 3 ; 3 Kt-B 3, Kt-B 3 ; 4 B-B 4, Kt x P ; 5

Kt X Kt, P-Q 4 ;

).

This serves the sole purpose of

increasing the pressure on the centre. In the end-game the principal aim is generally the creation and advance of the passed Pawn. The fact, however, that the value of the passed Pawn increases as it approaches promotion, is the reason for sacrificial combinations occurring more frequently in the case of the well-advanced passed Pawn. For this reason we shall devote a special chapter to the end-game combinations. For the moment, however, we shall only discuss combinations in the middle-game.

5 . MATING COMBINATIONS

I N this and the following chapters we intend to elaborate the Mating and Open-Field combinations by giving as simple an example of each type as possible, and one in which the character of the combination is best expressed.

In .Chapter 7 rather more difficult examples will be dis­

cussed, in which various conceptions play their part at the same time. Let us first repeat the classification on p. 6 8 .

I . Direct mate combinations.

2.

Break-up combinations.

Mating Combinations 3. Penetrative combinations.

4. Lateral combinations (or com­

binations on the last ranks).

I . DIRECT MATE COMBI NATIONS

At the beginning of these combinations the King is already in a dangerous position, and we must find a combination which forces home the attack and which consequently makes a decisive use of the unfavourable King-position. Let us for this purpose first consider what is meant by an 'unsafe position' of the King, for this conception is not clearly outlined and has many grada­ tions. The position of the King, standing in the middle of the hostile pieces without any help whatever from his own men, or without protection from his own Pawns, is much more serious than the position of a King, whv, in

MATING COMBINATIONS

an otherwise normal formation, lacks the support of one of his Pawns.

Our task therefore consists in drawing a distinction between an exposed and an unexposed position of the King. We must look for this distinction in the first place among the King's-field Pawns. If one or two Pawns are missing on the King's wing, or if they have advanced so far, that they really no longer provide a defence for the King, or if the position is such that it permits hostile pieces to penetrate it (if they have not already done so), so that the Pawns, which have no lateral effectiveness, are no longer useful for defence - in all these cases we call the position of the King exposed. We must, however, make a reservation where defending pieces have replaced the missing Pawns. It is possible that the black King, with a Bishop in front of him, at his K Kt 2, instead of a Pawn, is not in the least exposed ; but it is out of the question for us to examine all these cases. It is impossible to draw an exact line of demarcation, as too mu<ch depends upon one's own as well as the enemy's grouping.

A special case of an 'exposed' position of the King arises if castling has not yet taken place, or cannot take place at all, while the opponent possesses an open centre file.

If we know that the hostile King is in an exposed position, then the question is how to make use of this. One can state in general that it is of the greatest import­ ance to have a large number of men at hand, and at the same time, we must aim at driving the King as far as possible into the open field, which as a rule can be attained by sacrifices only. If the King is entirely detached from his base, then Queen and Rook, or Queen and Bishop will as a rule be sufficient to force mate. But in many cases it will not be possible to drive the King out

DIRECT MATE COMBINATIONS 79

of his position and then one must seek out the hostile King on his own ground In any case, it is necessary to manreuvre very quickly. Long preparations will very seldom lead to the desired result, because the defender can make use of the gain of time to safeguard his exposed King and - expressing it pithily - to patch up the weakness.

Every move must be executed, whenever possible, with a gain of 'a tempo,' and must be combined w.ith threats, as will be shown very clearly in the following example :

Diagram XX

White to play.

(From a game : Alekhin 'V. Rubinstein, CarIsbad 1 92 3)

The black King is in an exposed position, as his K R P is missing ; if White now succeeds in quickly bringing the Queen on to the K R file, a decisive manceuvre would per­ haps be possible. Speed, indeed, is one of the principal requirements, for after moves like I B-Kt 1 (threatening

2

Q-K 4, and 3 Q-R 4 ch,), Black has time to defend

himself by Q-K 4. The winning combination is as

80 MATING COMBINATIONS

In document PEZMAR CALDO CONCENTRADO DE MARISCOS PLAN DE NEGOCIOS. Joana Milena Valencia Angulo (página 73-0)