Chess combination as a fine art Add to Watch List Watching View Watchlist >

The Crowood Press, first edition 1989, paperback, 255 pp., 330 grams, good+ condition.

This is a collection of articles by German master Kurt Richter from the magazine Schach. The subject of his column was "Lessons in Chess - Advanced School of Combination." The book also includes introductions by Harry Golombek, Werner Golz, and Paul Keres. Keres in particular wrote a long discussion of Richter's approach to chess and contributions to theory.

The book delves into the beauty and intricacies of chess combinations, emphasizing tactical creativity and artistic play. If you’re passionate about chess tactics, this book is a must-read.

Richter was not a top-level player, but he was a fairly strong master. For the most part he is known as a writer and promoter of chess. You may know his name from the Richter-Veresov and Richter-Rauzer openings, both which he employed and - to some extent - originated. His style as a player was - well, you could say, coffeehouse. As Keres described him: "He was happy when poised between victory and defeat and his inventive ability generally brought him success."