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Vladimir Kramnik
Preface, May 2007
The way chess is played at the top level has changed quite a
bit in the last few years. There are a lot more tactics involved,
and the positions are much more complicated thats not a
coincidence. Nowadays, thanks to computers, to get an
advantage out of the opening, one has to go for complicated
positions. It is much harder to win a game without taking risks;
one cannot just slowly grind down an opponent, playing for
two possible outcomes: win or draw. A lot of recent wins at
high-level tournaments are achieved through enormous
complications and tactics. In fact, in a future edition of this book
covering the twenty-first century, I am sure quite a few recent
games will be worth including.
Introduction
Combinations have long been considered the most creative aspect of chess. It is
hardly surprising that many books have been devoted to them, and published in
Russia as well as abroad. Most of them, however, share the same drawbacks:
The combinations are classified by theme;
The majority of the examples are from the end of the twentieth century;
The enormous legacy of the great masters of the nineteenth century has been
underestimated;
In solutions to the problems, the authors do not supply sufficient variations, and
they often do not indicate other moves which are even more effective and
spectacular than those which were played in the games;
The same mistakes are repeated in every new edition.
In our book, the material is presented in chronological order. We begin with some
examples of the combinational skills of the masters of Shatranj and end with
illustrations of the tactical strikes by contemporary grandmasters. The basic material
in this book samples the tactical skills of the world's leading players from all eras,
rather than fragments of games between unknown amateurs. We have devoted
special attention to matches for the world championship. Combinations of twentiethcentury chess players comprise less than half of the combinations.
The book has 14 chapters with a consistent structure. First, we show several
outstanding combinations of the period, followed by the section, How would you
play? in which readers are challenged to solve several instructive positions with the
best moves.
The solutions to the problems are at the end of each chapter. In some cases we
indicate alternative combinations.
The level of difficulty of the problems in this book varies considerably. There are
some brilliant combinations with a checkmate in two, as well as complex
combinations requiring many moves and with numerous side variations. The reader
should be prepared for traps and surprises, since some would-be combinations have
refutations. Accordingly, even if a position is well-known, it would be advisable to
analyze carefully all possible variations, and not just try to remember what happened
in the game.
All the positions included in the book have been analyzed thoroughly. There are
many famous examples that are not a part of this book for various reasons: some
have been refuted; or the advantage after the best defense by the opponent
is insignificant; or a similar combination occurred earlier.
Igor Sukhin
Contents
Bibliography
p. 5
Preface by World champion Kramnik
p. 7
Introduction
p. 8
1. According to the Rules Shatranj (IX XV centuries)
p. 10
How Would You Play?
Solution.
2. From Lucena to Greco (XV XVII centuries)
p. 15
How Would You Play?
Solution.
3. From Stamma to Philidor (XVIII Century)
p. 26
How Would You Play?
Solution.
4. From Napoleon to Staunton (the first half of XIX century) p. 38
How Would You Play?
Solution.
p. 191
p. 222
p. 255
p. 277
p. 305
p. 329
We cannot
White to move
"My heart sank when this book arrived. Not another book on tactics! I feared the
worst... So I opened it up ... and ... fell in love with it!" Jeremy Silman (Read the
whole review http://mongoosepress.com/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=11%3Asilmanreview&catid=11&Itemid=111)
"While there are countless books on tactics, ... it is rare that a book of this type
breaks new ground. Typically, there are a large number of tactical problems
organized by theme and/or difficulty, with little or no commentary.
Chess Gems is an exception to this rule. Yes, it is a compilation of chess
combinations, but they are interwoven into the story of chess history, creating a
unique experience for the reader". Edward Scimia (Read More
http://mongoosepress.com/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=15%3Ascimiachessgems&catid=11&Itemid=111)
"Ask strong players what they do to improve and you will get many
answers, but at least one in common - keep your tactical eye sharp!
CHESS GEMS by Igor Sukhin passes all the requirements of a good
book on tactical exercises with flying colors and more". John
Donaldson (Full review http://mongoosepress.com/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=14%3Adonaldsonchessgems&catid=11&Itemid=111)
"Work through the entire book and assuredly your rating will go up a
hundred pointsthe rare gift that would suit players of all levels!"
Virginia Chess Newsletter (Read More
http://mongoosepress.com/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=13%3Avcnchessgems&catid=11&Itemid=111)