Winning Chess Combinations

About This Book

Winning Chess Combinations by Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan is the tactics-focused volume in the bestselling Winning Chess series, providing a comprehensive and accessible guide to chess combinations for developing players. Seirawan's exceptional ability to explain complex tactical ideas in simple terms makes this book an ideal resource for players who want to sharpen their combinative skills. The book begins by establishing what combinations are and why they matter. Seirawan explains that combinations are forced sequences of moves, usually involving a sacrifice, that lead to a tangible advantage. He distinguishes combinations from simple tactics, showing that true combinations involve multiple tactical themes working together in a coordinated attack. Seirawan builds the reader's tactical vocabulary systematically, starting with the fundamental tactical motifs. He covers pins, forks, skewers, discovered attacks, double checks, and removing the defender with clear explanations and numerous examples. Each motif is explained not just as an isolated pattern but as a building block that combines with other motifs to create powerful combinations. The chapter on pins is particularly thorough. Seirawan explains absolute pins versus relative pins, shows how to create pins, and demonstrates how to exploit them. He also covers the important defensive technique of breaking pins, giving readers a complete understanding of this fundamental tactical theme. His treatment of discovered attacks and double checks is equally valuable. These powerful tactical weapons can be devastating when used correctly, and Seirawan shows how to recognize the conditions that make them possible. His examples progress from simple to complex, building the reader's pattern recognition gradually. The book's middle sections cover more advanced combinative themes, including deflection, decoy, interference, and clearance sacrifices. Seirawan explains how these themes create the conditions for combinations by disrupting the coordination of the opponent's pieces. Understanding these themes helps readers see beyond simple one-move tactics to multi-move combinations. One of the book's strongest features is its treatment of attacking combinations against the castled king. Seirawan covers the classic sacrifice patterns on h7, f7, and other key squares around the king. He shows how to recognize when these sacrifices are sound and how to calculate the resulting complications. This knowledge is directly applicable to practical play, as king attacks are among the most common sources of combinations. The final sections present complete games where combinations play a decisive role. Seirawan annotates these games with focus on the tactical themes, showing how combinations arise from the middlegame position and how to create the conditions that make them possible. These game examples help readers understand that combinations don't appear from nowhere - they are the result of good strategic play that creates tactical opportunities. Throughout the book, Seirawan maintains his trademark conversational style. He shares personal experiences, includes humor, and makes the material engaging and enjoyable. The exercises at the end of each chapter provide opportunities for readers to test their understanding and develop their tactical vision. Winning Chess Combinations is an excellent choice for players who want to develop their tactical skills in a structured, enjoyable way. It provides the foundation of tactical knowledge that every improving player needs.