[Event "How to Play Combinative Chess - Exercises"]
[Site "A. A. Kotov"]
[Date "1981"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r1k1qr/ppp5/2n1p1pp/1NQ3B1/2p2R2/8/PP3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"]

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1R6/r3b1k1/p2p4/P1pPp2p/6q1/2P2N1r/4Q1P1/5RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 1: Find out the motif of the winning combination for White.} 

 *


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r2k1/p2rbppp/2p3q1/2p5/Q1P5/P3BN1P/1n1R1PP1/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 2: What combinative motif helps White to obtain victory?}

 *


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r3/p2q1pkp/R2P2p1/1PpQ1n2/P1N5/6P1/5PKP/8 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 3: What kind of combinative factor allows Black to win the game?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/8/1R5p/q5pk/PR3p2/7P/6P1/7K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 4: Show the motif of the combination by which White can win.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3qr3/2pp1pkp/r1p3p1/p7/P7/1Pn1PQ2/2PN1PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 5: What is the motif of the combination that helps White to win?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "7Q/p1pk1ppp/5n2/3pq3/3n4/2NP2P1/PPPKbP1P/R6R b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 6: Black to play.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6rk/1b4rp/2q2n2/p1n5/4p2Q/1PN2N2/PBP1R3/K3R3 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 7: White to play.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rk5r/ppp1bq1p/2n5/2N3B1/6Q1/8/PPP2PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 8: Now it is Black on the receiving end. Find out how White wins.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1r3rn1/p5bk/b2pP2p/q2P1p2/1p2nP1N/3QB2P/PP4B1/3NRRK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 9: White finishes the game in brilliant style. Can you spot the moves?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r1k1br/ppp5/2n1p1pp/1NQ3B1/2p2R2/8/PP3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 10: White wins in an artistic manner. Find out how.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r2k1/p2r1pp1/1pQ3p1/3P2q1/P7/6P1/5P1P/2R1R1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 11: What sort of combination helps White to win?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r1k1/p4ppp/b5q1/2QN4/1B3PP1/P7/1PP1r2P/2KR4 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 12: Find out a winning combination for White.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1r1q2k1/pb3ppp/1p3nn1/5NQ1/2p5/5B2/PB3PPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 13: White forcibly delivers mate. How?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/5pb1/1p1N3p/p5p1/5q2/Q6P/PPr5/3RR2K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 14: Find out a winning combination for White.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/1b2qpp1/1p5p/5B2/3p4/2r1PQP1/5P1P/R5K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 15: By what means White wins?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r3k/2RP1ppp/p3q3/1p2P3/3p4/Q5PP/P4P1K/8 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 16: How does White win brilliantly?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b4k/3n2qp/6p1/p3Rn2/1pB4Q/5P2/PPP3PP/4R2K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 17: White wins in spite of material deficit. How?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r3k1/1q3p1p/pp1Qp1p1/8/P2P4/4P2P/2r2PP1/RR4K1 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 18: Black to play. How does he obtain a win?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r3k1/R4p1p/2p3p1/1pB1b3/1P2Q3/2q3PP/5P2/6K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 19: How can White forcibly win?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r3k1/Q4Rpp/p1q1n3/P2pP3/8/1pP5/1P4PP/5R1K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 20: Show a mating combination for White.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1r5/pp1qnkpp/4Np2/3p4/8/8/PP2QPPP/2R1RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 21: Show a way for White to victory}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1rq1B2k/2p1Q1pp/pb2br2/5p2/1P3B2/6P1/5P1P/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 22: Show an effective combination for White.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5rk1/6r1/3p4/1qpPp2n/ppN1P3/5PPK/PP3Q2/2R3R1 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 23: Black to play. Find an effective combination.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5rk1/4q2p/p1n1p1p1/1pp1p3/4PrPb/1PQP1P1P/P1B3K1/2BR1R2 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 24: Black to play. Which combination would lead to victory?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rqrnk1/pp3pb1/6p1/4pbP1/3pN2R/3B1N2/PPP2P2/2K2Q1R w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 25: Show a winning combination for White.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rr2k1/1b2qppp/pb2p3/1p2P3/1P2BPn1/P1N5/1B2Q1PP/R4R1K b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 26: Black to play. How can he forcibly win?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3b2rk/7p/p7/2pbqNrn/Pp1p1R2/1P1Q2P1/1BPN1R1P/6K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 27: Find the winning combination for White.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r4k/pb2q2P/1p6/3Pp3/4p3/1P2R3/PBrQ2PP/5RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 28: How can White win by force?.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r5k1/pp1b1p1p/3pp2Q/4n1PR/4P3/1B3q2/P1P1N3/1K6 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 29: Show how White can win.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1qr2k1/2pn1ppp/p1Q1pb2/1p2N3/3P4/1BP5/PP3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 30: White's attack leads to an announced mate in six. Find the key move.}

 *


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r5k1/pp2rppp/1n2bn2/2R5/3QPq2/P4PN1/1B2B1PP/5RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 31: Find a winning combination for White.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3r1k1/p4ppp/3p4/q1p2N2/b1Bpn3/P1P5/5PPP/2Q1RRK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 32: How can White win forcibly?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r1nrk1/pb2qp1p/1p2p1pQ/1P6/n7/P2B2N1/1B3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 33: Find an effective path for White's victory.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r2k1/R3Qp1p/2prb1pq/4R3/3P4/6P1/5P1P/5BK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 34: How can White win forcibly?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5rk1/pppb3p/4p1p1/4b3/6nq/2N1PB1P/PPP3P1/R1B2QK1 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 35: Black to play. Find the combination leading to victory.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2nppp/4p3/2n5/8/2NBPN2/PP3PPP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 36: Show the combination for White's win.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r3/p2qppkp/3p2b1/1p1N4/2r1P1RQ/2P4P/PP4P1/5RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 37: What kind of combination can White employ for winning?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/1b3ppp/pq2p3/1pbn2N1/3B3P/1B4P1/PPP1QP2/2KRR3 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 38: Show an effective line for White.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r1k1/1Q3p1p/p1n2qp1/1p1N4/8/2R3P1/PPB2PKP/4r3 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 39: Black to play. How can he win?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rn1/p3q1bk/n2p2pp/1b1PPp2/1pp2P1N/1P2N1P1/P1QB2BP/4RRK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 40: Find a way for White's win.}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5Qb1/1p4Pk/pqrpp2B/2p1p3/2P1P1Nb/n1N4B/P7/7K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 41: How does White win?}

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2qk2r/1pp2ppp/p3pn2/6N1/1B1P2Pn/1Q2P1KP/PP3P2/R6R b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 42: Black to play. How can he finish the game beautifully?}

 *






























[Event "How to Play Combinative Chess - Solutions"]
[Site "A. A. Kotov"]
[Date "1981"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3Rk1qr/p1r5/2p1p1pp/6B1/2p2R2/8/PP3PPP/6K1 b - - 0 1"]

 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "Hungary"]
[Date "1975"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Karpov"]
[Black "Soltis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1R6/r3b1k1/p2p4/P1pPp2p/6q1/2P2N1r/4Q1P1/5RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 1 Solution: Black King is in an exposed position and he is not adequately defended.
The following combination leads to a win:} 1. Nxe5 Qxe2 (1... dxe5 
2. Qxe5+ {with quick mate}) 2. Rf7+ Kh6 3. Rh8+ Kg5 4. Rg8+ Kh4 (4... Kh6 5. Rg6#)
5. Ng6+ Kg5 6. Nxe7+ Kh4 7. Nf5# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Buenos Aires"]
[Date "1926"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Motin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r2k1/p2rbppp/2p3q1/2p5/Q1P5/P3BN1P/1n1R1PP1/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 2 Solution: The Black King cannot escape from mate - The 8th
rank (or the back rank) is not well defended. White wins by:} 1. Qxa7 Rxa7
2. Rxd8+ Bf8 3. Bxc5 h6 4. Rxf8+ Kh7 5. R1d8 Qb1+ 6. Kh2 Rb7 7. Nh4 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1964"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ivkov"]
[Black "Garcia"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r3/p2q1pkp/R2P2p1/1PpQ1n2/P1N5/6P1/5PKP/8 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 3 Solution: White's King's flank is weak. Black makes use of
this factor in the following way:} 1... Nh4+ 2. gxh4 Qg4+ 3. Kf1 Qh3+
4. Qg2 Qd3+ {and 5... Re1 with mate on next move} 0-1


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Mizas"]
[Black "NN"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "8/8/1R5p/q5pk/PR3p2/7P/6P1/7K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 4 Solution: Black King is in a mating net. White wins by:}
1. g4+ fxg3 (1... Kh4 2. Kh2 h5 3. Rh6 {with mate on next move}) 2. Rh4+
gxh4 (2... Kxh4 3. Rh6#) 3. Rb5+ {and the Pawn on a4 marches toward the queening square} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Palma-de-Mallorca"]
[Date "1972"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bellin"]
[Black "Ljuboevik"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3qr3/2pp1pkp/r1p3p1/p7/P7/1Pn1PQ2/2PN1PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 5 Solution: Black Knight has entered into enemy territory. 
White traps it in the following manner:} 1. e4 Qf6 2. Qd3 Raa8 3. f4 
{followed by 5. e5} 1-0 



[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1940"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rolf"]
[Black "Steizer"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "7Q/p1pk1ppp/5n2/3pq3/3n4/2NP2P1/PPPKbP1P/R6R b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 6 Solution: } 1... Nf3+ 2. Kc1 Qg5+ 3. Kb1 Nd2+ 4. Kc1 Nb3+
5. 5. Kb1 Qc1+ 6. Rxc1 Nd2# 0-1


[Event "?"]
[Site "Vienna"]
[Date "1912"]
[Round "?"]
[White "V. Tietz"]
[Black "May"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6rk/1b4rp/2q2n2/p1n5/4p2Q/1PN2N2/PBP1R3/K3R3 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 7 Solution: With the help of the stupendous domination of the Queen,
White executes a flawless smothered mate.} 1. Nxe4 Ncxe4 2. Rxe4 Nxe4 3. Rxe4 Qxe4
4. Ng5 Qg6 5. Qxh7+ Qxh7 6. Nf7# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1859"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Morphy"]
[Black "Amateur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rk5r/ppp1bq1p/2n5/2N3B1/6Q1/8/PPP2PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 8 Solution: A predecessor to exercise no. 6.} 1. Nd7+ Kc8 2. Nb6+ Kb8
3. Qc8+ Rxc8 4. Nd7# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1r3rn1/p5bk/b2pP2p/q2P1p2/1p2nP1N/3QB2P/PP4B1/3NRRK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 9 Solution: } 1. Qxe4 fxe4 2. Bxe4+ Kh8 3. Ng6+ Kh7 4. Nxf8+ Kh8
5. Ng6+ Kh7 6. Ne5+ Kh8 7. Nf7# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Keres"]
[Black "Wilkins"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r1k1qr/ppp5/2n1p1pp/1NQ3B1/2p2R2/8/PP3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 10 Solution: The first two moves of the combination are interchangeable.
But White adopts the method which is more artistic.} 1. Qxc6+ bxc6 2. Nxc7+ Rxc7
3. Rd8# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Paris"]
[Date "1925"]
[Round "Alekhine"]
[White "Colle"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r2k1/p2r1pp1/1pQ3p1/3P2q1/P7/6P1/5P1P/2R1R1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 11 Solution: White makes use of the unguarded back rank by the following
combination.} 1. Qxd7 Rxd7 2. Re8+ Kh7 3. R1c8 {and mate is unavoidable.} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Kiev"]
[Date "1903"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tchigorin"]
[Black "Znosko-Borovsky"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r1k1/p4ppp/b5q1/2QN4/1B3PP1/P7/1PP1r2P/2KR4 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 12 Solution: White makes use of the insufficient defence on the 7th rank.}
1. Ne7+ R8xe7 2. Rd8+ Re8 3. Qf8+ Rxf8 4. Rxf8# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "New York"]
[Date "1923"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Freiman"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1r1q2k1/pb3ppp/1p3nn1/5NQ1/2p5/5B2/PB3PPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 13 Solution: The last rank is badly defended. Alekhine exploits it by:}
1. Bxb7 Rxb7 2. Bxf6 Qxf6 3. Re8+ Nf8 4. Nh6 Qxh6 5. Rxf8+ Kxf8 6. Qd8# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Carlsbad"]
[Date "1923"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Vidmar"]
[Black "Euwe"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/5pb1/1p1N3p/p5p1/5q2/Q6P/PPr5/3RR2K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 14 Solution: White has an original possiblity of utilising the insufficiently
defended back rank.} 1. Re8+ Bf8 (1... Kh7 2. Qd3+) 2. Rxf8+ Kxf8 3. Nf5+ Kg8 (3... Rc5
4. Rd8#) 4. Qf8+ Kxf8 5. Rd8# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "G.D.R"]
[Date "1957"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Almis"]
[Black "Herman"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "6k1/1b2qpp1/1p5p/5B2/3p4/2r1PQP1/5P1P/R5K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 15 Solution: White utilises the weakness on the 8th rank.} 1. Ra8+ Bxa8
2. Qxa8+ Qf8 3. Bh7+ Kxh7 4. Qxf8 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Trinidad"]
[Date "1939"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Nestor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r3k/2RP1ppp/p3q3/1p2P3/3p4/Q5PP/P4P1K/8 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 16 Solution: } 1. Rc8 Rxc8 2. Qe7 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1b4k/3n2qp/6p1/p3Rn2/1pB4Q/5P2/PPP3PP/4R2K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 17 Solution: } 1. Rxf5 gxf5 2. Re8+ Nf8 3. Rxf8+ Qxf8
4. Qd4+ Qg7 5. Qd8+ Qg8 6. Qxg8# 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1935"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alatoritsev"]
[Black "Capablanca"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r3k1/1q3p1p/pp1Qp1p1/8/P2P4/4P2P/2r2PP1/RR4K1 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 18 Solution: } 1... Rxf2 2. Kxf2 Rc2+ 3. Kg3 (3. Ke1 Qxg2 4. Qb8+ Kg7
5. Qe5+ f6 {and Black wins}) Qxg2+ 4. Kh4 g5+ 5. Kh5 Qxh3+ 6. Kxg5 Rg2+ 7. Kf6 Qh4+ 
{If 8. Ke5 Rg5+ mates next move.} 0-1


[Event "?"]
[Site "Stockholm"]
[Date "1948"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kotov"]
[Black "Stalberg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r3k1/R4p1p/2p3p1/1pB1b3/1P2Q3/2q3PP/5P2/6K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 19 Solution: White played 1. Kg2?, but could have won by attacking on
the 7th rank.} 1. Re7 f6 (1... Qc1+ 2. Kg2 Bb2 3. Re8+  Rxe8 4. Qxe8+ Kg7 5. Bf8+
Kf6 6. Qe7+ Kf5 7. g4+ Kf4 8. Bh6+ g5 9. Bxg5#) 2. Qg4 Qe1+ 3. Kg2 f5 4. Qh4 h5
5. Qg5 Qe4+ 6. Kh2 {and White wins.} 1-0



[Event "?"]
[Site "Vilnus"]
[Date "1912"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alekhine"]
[Black "Bernstein"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r3k1/Q4Rpp/p1q1n3/P2pP3/8/1pP5/1P4PP/5R1K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 20 Solution: White wins by.} 1. Rxg7+ Nxg7 2. Qf7+ Kh8 3. Qf8+ Rxf8
4. Rxf8# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "1895"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Steinitz"]
[Black "Bardeleben"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1r5/pp1qnkpp/4Np2/3p4/8/8/PP2QPPP/2R1RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 21 Solution: The following neat combination leads to victory.} 1. Qg4
g6 2. Ng5+ Ke8 3. Rxe7+ Kf8 4. Rf7+ Kg8 5. Rg7+ Kh8 6. Rxh7+ Kg8 7.Rg7+ Kh8 8. Qh4+
Kxg7 9. Qh7+ Kf8 10. Qh8+ Ke7 11. Qg7+ Ke8 12. Qg8+ Ke7 13. Qf7+ Kd8 14. Qf8+ Qe8
15. Nf7+ Kd7 16. Qd6# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1959"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Katalimov"]
[Black "Minatchakenyan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "1rq1B2k/2p1Q1pp/pb2br2/5p2/1P3B2/6P1/5P1P/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 22 Solution: White wins with the help of a smart combination, based on the weakness
of the 7th rank in Black's camp.} 1. Rd7 Bxd7 2. Bh6 gxh6 3. Qxf6+ Kg8 4. Qf7+ Kh8 5. Qf8# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1873"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bestin"]
[Black "Karlson"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5rk1/6r1/3p4/1qpPp2n/ppN1P3/5PPK/PP3Q2/2R3R1 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 23 Solution: Black makes elegant use of the weak g- and h-files for organising a mating attack.}
1... Kf7 2. Nxd6+ Ke7 3. Qxc5 Nf4+ 4. gxf4 Rh8# 0-1


[Event "?"]
[Site "Havana"]
[Date "1890"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gunsberg"]
[Black "Tchigorin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5rk1/4q2p/p1n1p1p1/1pp1p3/4PrPb/1PQP1P1P/P1B3K1/2BR1R2 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 24 Solution: Black makes good use of the strength of its pieces and black diagonals to open
up the f-file.} 1... Rxf3 2. Rxf3 Rxf3 3. Kxf3 Qf6+ 4. Kg2 Qf2+ 4. Kh1 Qf3+ 5. Kg1 Bf2+ 6. Kh2 Qg3+
7. Kh1 Qxh3# 0-1


[Event "?"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "1954"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rixter"]
[Black "Abramaviches"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rqrnk1/pp3pb1/6p1/4pbP1/3pN2R/3B1N2/PPP2P2/2K2Q1R w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 25 Solution: } 1. Rh8+ Bxh8 2. Rxh8+ Kxh8 3. Qh1+ Nh7 (3... Kg8 4. Nf6+ Qxf6 5. gxf6 Bxd3 6. Qh6
Ne6 7. Ng5 Rxc2+ 8. Kd1 Rc7 9. Qh7+ Kf8 10. Qh8#)  4. Nf6 Qxf6 5. gxf6 Kg8 6. Bxf5 gxf5 7. Qh6 Nxf6 8. Qxf6
d3 9. Nxe5 Rxc2+ 10. Kd1 Rc7 11. Qxf5 {etc. and wins} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1907"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Rotlevi"]
[Black "Rubinstein"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2rr2k1/1b2qppp/pb2p3/1p2P3/1P2BPn1/P1N5/1B2Q1PP/R4R1K b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 26 Solution: Black forms a combination with the help of its strong pieces, h- and d-files
and the h1-a8 diagonal.} 1... Qh4 2. g3 (2. h3 Rxc3 3. Qxg4 (3. Bxc3 Bxe4 4. Qxe4 Qg3 5. hxg4 Qh4#) 
Rxh3+ 4. Qxh3 Qxh3+ 5. gxh3 Bxe4+ 6. Kh2 Rd2+ {followed by 7... Rxb2}) 2... Rxc3 3. gxh4 Rd2 4. Qxd2
Bxe4+ 5. Qg2 Rh3+ {and mate is unavoidable.} 0-1


[Event "?"]
[Site "Hastings"]
[Date "1895"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tarrasch"]
[Black "Balbrog"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3b2rk/7p/p7/2pbqNrn/Pp1p1R2/1P1Q2P1/1BPN1R1P/6K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 27 Solution: } 1. Rxd4 Nxg3 2. Nxg3 Rxg3+ 3. hxg3 Rxg3+ 4. Kf1 Rxd3 5. Rg4 {and wins.} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1883"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zukertort"]
[Black "Blackburne"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r4k/pb2q2P/1p6/3Pp3/4p3/1P2R3/PBrQ2PP/5RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 28 Solution: White forms a combination based on the strength of the Bishop controlling the a1-h8 diagonal.}
1. Qb4 R8c5 (1... Qxb4 2. Bxe5+ Kxh7 3. Rh3+ Kg6 4. Rf6+ Kg5 5. Rg3+ Kh5 6. Rf5+ Kh6 7. Bf4+ Kh7 8. Rh5#) 2. Rf8+ Kxh7
3. Qxe4+ Kg7 4. Bxe5+ Kxf8 5. Bg7+ {and wins.} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1969"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Karpov"]
[Black "Hug"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r5k1/pp1b1p1p/3pp2Q/4n1PR/4P3/1B3q2/P1P1N3/1K6 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 29 Solution: } 1. g6 Nxg6 2. Qxh7+ Kf8 3. Rf5 Qxb3+ 4. axb3 exf5 5. Nf4 Rd8 6. Qh6+ Ke8 7. Nxg6 fxg6 8. Qxg6+ 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1qr2k1/2pn1ppp/p1Q1pb2/1p2N3/3P4/1BP5/PP3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 30 Solution: White played 1. Nxf7 in a blindfold game. After Black accepted the sacrifice with 
1... Kxf7 White announced mate in six moves.} 1. Nxf7 Kxf7 2. Qxe6+ Kg6 (2... Kf8 3. Qf7#) 3. Bc2+ Kh5 
(3... Kh6 4. Qh3+ Kg5 5. f4+ Kxf4 6. Qg3#) (3... Kg5 4. Qf5+ Kh6 5. Qxh7+ Kg5 6. h4+ {and mates next move.}) 
4. Qf5+ Bg5 5. Qf3+ Kh6 6. Qh3+ Bh4 7. Qxh4# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1948"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Botvinnik"]
[Black "Keres"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r5k1/pp2rppp/1n2bn2/2R5/3QPq2/P4PN1/1B2B1PP/5RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 31 Solution: White with all its forces attacks the weak g7 square.} 1. Bc1 Qb8 2. Rg5 Nbd7 3. Rxg7+
Kxg7 4. Nh5+ Kg6 5. Qe3 {and mates next move.} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1939"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kotov"]
[Black "Gipslis"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3r1k1/p4ppp/3p4/q1p2N2/b1Bpn3/P1P5/5PPP/2Q1RRK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 32 Solution: } 1. Rxe4 Rxe4 2. Qg5 g6 3. Qf6 gxf5 4. Qxf7+ Kh8 5. Qf6# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1929"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Spilmann"]
[Black "Henbiger"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r1nrk1/pb2qp1p/1p2p1pQ/1P6/n7/P2B2N1/1B3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 33 Solution: White makes use of Black's weak King flank for a combinative attack.}
1. Nf5 Qc5 (1... gxf5 2. Bxf5 f6 3. Bxe6+ Kh8 4. Rd7 {and wins.}) 2. Re5 Bd5 3. Ne7+ Qxe7
4. Qxh7+ Kxh7 5. Rh5+ Kg8 6. Rh8# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "3r2k1/R3Qp1p/2prb1pq/4R3/3P4/6P1/5P1P/5BK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 34 Solution: Black has many weak points on the King's side. White makes use of them
in the following manner.} 1. Rxe6 fxe6 2. Qf7+ Kh8 3. Qf6+ Kg8 4. Bc4 Qf8 5. Bxe6+ Rxe6 6. Qxe6+
Kh8 7. Qe5+ Kg8 8. Qc7 {and wins.} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5rk1/pppb3p/4p1p1/4b3/6nq/2N1PB1P/PPP3P1/R1B2QK1 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 35 Solution: Black wins by:} 1... Rxf3 2. gxf3 Qg3 3. Qg2 Qe1+ 4. Qf1 Bh2+
5. Kg2 Qg3+ 6. Kh1 Nf2+ {and wins.} 0-1


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2nppp/4p3/2n5/8/2NBPN2/PP3PPP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 36 Solution: White wins by:} 1. Bxh7+ Kxh7 2. Ng5+ Kg6 3. Qg4 f5 4. Qg3 Kh6
5. Qh4+ Kg6 6. Qh7+ Kf6 7. e4 Ng6 8. exf5 exf5 9. Rad1 Nd3 10. Qh3 Ndf4 11. Qg3 Qc7
12. Rfe1 Be6 (12... Bd7 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Qxc7 Nxc7 15. Nh7+ Kf7 16. Rxd7+ Kg8 17. Nxf8 {and wins.})
(12... Rh8 13. Rd6+ Qxd6 14. Nce4+ fxe4 15. Nxe4+ Ke7 16. Nxd6 Kxd6 17. Qa3+ {and wins.}) 13. Rxe6 
Nxe6 14. Nd5# 1-0 


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1945"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ragozin"]
[Black "Verozov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r3/p2qppkp/3p2b1/1p1N4/2r1P1RQ/2P4P/PP4P1/5RK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 37 Solution: } 1. Rxg6+ fxg6 2.Rxf7+ Kxf7 3. Qxh7+ Ke6 4. Qxg6+ Ke5 5. Qg7+ Kxe4 6. Nf6+
exf6 7. Qxd7 {and wins.} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "?"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rk1/1b3ppp/pq2p3/1pbn2N1/3B3P/1B4P1/PPP1QP2/2KRR3 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 38 Solution: } 1. Qh5 h6 2. Rxe6 fxe6 3. Qg6 Rf6 4. Qh7+ Kf8 5. Qh8+ Ke7 6. Qxg7+ {and wins.}
1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1911"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Guknek"]
[Black "Romanovsky"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "4r1k1/1Q3p1p/p1n2qp1/1p1N4/8/2R3P1/PPB2PKP/4r3 b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 39 Solution: } 1... Qxf2+ 2. Kxf2 (2. Kh3 Qxh2+ {etc.}) R8e2+ 3. Kf3 Ne5+ 4. Kf4 Rf1+ 5. Kg5
h6+ 6. Kxh6 Rxh2+ 7. Kg5 Rh5# 0-1


[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1974"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Zelinksky"]
[Black "Skotarenko"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "2r2rn1/p3q1bk/n2p2pp/1b1PPp2/1pp2P1N/1P2N1P1/P1QB2BP/4RRK1 w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 40 Solution: } 1. Nxg6 Kxg6 2. Nxf5 Rxf5 3. Qxf5+ Kxf5 4.Be4+ Kg4 5. h3+ Kxg3 (5... Kh5 6. g4+
Kh4 7. Re3 {followed by 8. Be1#}) (5... Kh3 6. Bf5+ Kxg3 7.Re3+ Kh4 8. Rh3#) 6. Re3+ Kh4 7. Bg6 Qg5 8. fxg5
Bxe5 9. Re4+ Kxh3 10. Bf5+ Kg3 11. Be1# 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1974"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Melikov"]
[Black "Chaknazerov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "5Qb1/1p4Pk/pqrpp2B/2p1p3/2P1P1Nb/n1N4B/P7/7K w - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 41 Solution: } 1. Qxg8+ Kxg8 2. Nf6+ Bxf6 3. Bxe6+ Kh7 4. g8=Q+ Kxh6 5. Bf5 Bg7 6. Qh7+ Kg5 7. Qg6+
Kf4 8. Qg4+ Ke3 9. Qe2+ Kd4 (9... Kf4 10. Qf2+ Kg5 11. Qg3+ Kf6 12. Qg6+ Ke7 13. Qxg7+ {and wins.}) 10. Nb5+ axb5
11. Qd2+ Kxc4 12. Be6+ {and mates next move.} 1-0


[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1974"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Vladiminorov"]
[Black "Vortnik"]
[Result "0-1"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r2qk2r/1pp2ppp/p3pn2/6N1/1B1P2Pn/1Q2P1KP/PP3P2/R6R b - - 0 1"]

 {Exercise 42 Solution: ?} 1... Nh5+ 2. Kxh4 h6 3. f4 hxg5+ 4. fxg5 Qxg5+ 5. Kxg5 f6+ 6. Kg6 Rh6# 0-1




