A question and answer column by FIDE Master Andy Lee.
Q: What is the most important thing for a beginning chess player to master?
-- Quentin, Jefferson, MS
A: No chess player, from beginner to master, can get by without a good grasp of tactics. As a beginner, it's important to get used to the basic tactics: pins, forks, skewers, and discovered attacks. At first, you want to see simple examples of each of these types of tactics, but later you will want to see how they interact with one another. For example:
As you gain mastery of how these tactics work together, you will also find that you must learn about a second group of tactics, including undermining, decoy, desperado sacrificies, and trapped pieces. This greater level of knowledge will allow you to beat those who have only mastered the basics, as in the example below:
Finally, you will want to learn to recognize the positions in which tactics appear. Three basic rules should help you to realize that your tactical brain should be working hard:
1) Undefended or poorly defended pieces
2) Pieces that are trapped or have poor mobility
3) A king that is exposed to check (or checkmate!)