Ten steps to learn Chess Tactics and Combinations

Here is a collection of very short games organised by tactical theme. The main aim is to give you a quick run-through the basic tactical ideas in genuine positions. One advantageof using short games is that you can set the positions up on a board very quickly and accurately. You can of course just usethe diagrams as test positions.

I have selected as many of the games as possible from opening systems that are commonly recommended for improvingplayers. This is the great main highway of chess, and the views to either side are wonderful.

I've marked where I think the losing side could have played better with the chessplayer's frown, "?", so you can go over each game once again, trying this time to improve the play.