A note for players

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.

A note for teachers and coaches

Anyone could have done this, and maybe you would have done it better, but you might find it useful that it has been done by someone else.

I find it as easy to play over a short game from the start position as it is to set up a position from scratch, so whenworking with players over a board I like to use this type of example.

Nearly all the games start 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, which I hope means they will connect with, and reinforce, good openingprinciples for learner players, and show poor play punished. The exciting main lines of the Max Lange and Fried Liver Attacks feature throughout, and Damiano's Defence endures some terrible beatings. There is an opening index by ECO code soyou can run through several tactical ideas associated with one opening or even one variation.