Gaining Material
When one player is able to capture an opponent's piece or pieces without losing any of his own, that player is said to have won material; that is, the opponent will have fewer pieces on the board. The goal of each basic tactic is to win material. At the professional level, often the mere threat of material loss (i.e., an anticipated tactic) induces a player to pursue an alternative line. In amateur games, however, tactics often come to full fruition, as they are not foreseen by the opponent and so result in material gain and a corresponding, perhaps decisive, advantage. Material gain can be accomplished by several different types of tactics.
Read more about this topic: Chess Tactic
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