Combinations , The Heart Of Chess

“Combinations have always been the most intriguing aspect of Chess.
The masters look for them, the public applauds them, the critics
praise them. It is because combinations are possible that Chess
is more than a lifeless mathematical exercise. They are the
poetry of the game; they are to Chess what melody is to
music. They represent the triumph of mind over matter”
(Reuben Fine)


I am posting five famous combinations from former world chess champions and famous players to show the beauty of combination in chess.

The first diagram will show the staring postion with the names of the players and the combination will be played out the Chess Flash diagram directly below it.


Steinitz vs Von Bardeleben Hastings 1895

White to play and mate in fourteen moves !








Solution To Combination


stein.pgn







Ed Lasker vs George Thomas London 1912

Whte to mate in eight moves !





Solution To Combination


edllask.pgn






Adams vs Torre New Orleans 1920

White traps Black's Queen in six moves !







Solution To Combination


torre.pgn






Larsen vs Spassky Belgrade 1970

Black mates in four movee !





Solution To Combination



spasky.pgn




Lasker vs Bauer Amsterdam 1889

Famous Lasker Combination





Solution To Combination



lask.pgn




Link to You Tube Video on Lasker's Sacrifice