Chess Non Stop
Seeing Further: Your Guide to Multi-Step Combinations
From Good to Great: Pro-Level Tips
Think in Ideas, Not Just Moves
Don't just look for random checks. Ask, "What is the defensive idea I need to overcome?" Is a piece guarding a key square? Your first move might be to capture or deflect that specific defender. The checkmate itself is the final step; the real puzzle is dismantling the defense.
The Power of an In-Between Move
In longer combinations, you often need an "in-between" move (a *zwischenzug*). After your opponent responds to your first threat, you might have a clever, quiet move that isn't a check, but perfectly prepares the final blow. Always look for these subtle moves that make the whole combination work.
A Move That Made History: The Reti "Windmill" Endgame Study
While technically a study about opposition, this position by Richard Reti brilliantly demonstrates the mate-in-3 mindset. White's moves don't seem immediately threatening. However, they are a masterclass in triangulation and zugzwang, methodically taking away all of the black king's options until it's forced into a losing position. It teaches that the path to mate isn't always a direct assault, but can be a sequence of precise, strategic steps.
The Winning Combination: 1. Kb1! Kb6 2. Kc1! (zugzwang)