MARK RUBERY CHESS

In 1953 the editors of the Soviet Chess Magazine ‘Shakhmaty v SSSR’ decided on the definition of a chess combination as follows: A combination is a forced sequence of moves which uses tactical means and exploits specific peculiarities of the position to achieve a certain goal.

Other interpretations are:

‘Combinations have always been the most intriguing aspects of chess. The masters look for them, the public applauds them, and 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

‘What is a combination? A combination is a blend of ideas – pins, forks, discovered checks, double attacks – which endow the pieces with magical power. It is a series of staggering blows before the knockout. It is the climactic scene in the play appearing on the board. It is the touch of enchantment that gives life to inanimate pieces. It is all this and more – A combination is the heart of chess.’ -Irving Chernev

When Gawain Jones defeated Luke Mcshane in the deciding match of the British Knockout Championship he won the second game with an unexpected combination that totally eluded a player who has been described as ‘the world’s strongest amateur’.

Jones,g (2682) - Mcshane,l (2664) [C07]

CH-GBR KO 2018 London ENG (4.2) 2018

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Bc4 Qd7 7.0–0 Nc6 8.Nb3 a6 9.a4 Nf6 10.Qe2 Bd6 11.Rd1 e5 12.Nbxd4 0–0 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.Bg5 Bc7 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Bd5 Rb8 17.h3 Qe7 18.Re1 Re8 19.Qc4 b5 20.axb5 Rxb5 21.Rad1 Rc5 22.Qd3 g6 23.c4 a5 24.Qa3 Bd6 25.Bxf7+! (This surprising combination comes like a bolt from the blue!)…qxf7 (The point is revealed after 25…Kxf7 26 Rxd6! Qxd6 27 Ng5+ Kg8 28 Ne4 and by way of a venomous knight fork he retrieves the sacrificed material with interest) 26.Rxd6 Qxc4 27.Nd2 Qb4 28.Qxb4 axb4 29.Ne4 1–0

In order to become a grandmaster class player whose understanding of chess is superior to the thousands of ordinary players, you have to develop within yourself a large number of qualities, the qualities of an artistic creator, a calculating practitioner, a cold calm competitor. - Alexander Kotov