Müller/Konikowski: The best combinations of the world champions Volume 1 - from Steinitz to Tal

Since every world champion was the most outstanding player of his time, it makes sense to study the various aspects of the royal game using 'world champion games' - and of course to enjoy them too. In this first of two volumes on the art of world champion combinations, the authors (both recognized experts in the field of chess literature) offer the reader the opportunity to discover a large number of the world champions' best combinations for themselves - and thus to assess or improve their own tactical skills.

But that's not all, because not only are tactically explosive and spectacular example games thoroughly analyzed and clearly commented on by each world champion, but in addition, a special area in which he has achieved very special achievements is examined for each individual.

In Steinitz's case, this is the way he deals with the 'Steinitz King', which is named after him – in Lasker's case, it is his phenomenal defensive skills and in Capablanca's case, it is his mastery of the 'small combination' (the French term 'petite combinaison' has become established in chess language in this regard).

With Alekhine it is especially about his dashing attacks, with Euwe – about his feeling for dynamic transformations, with Botvinnik – about his tactical solutions to strategic problems, with Smyslov – about his virtuosity even in tactically-oriented endgames and with Mikhail Tal – about his almost magical tactical works of art with which he enchanted not only his opponents, but the entire chess world.

Using QR codes on each diagram, you can download the position directly to your smartphone and analyze or replay it.

Volume 1 contains 260 combinations and numerous fully annotated example games.