Tartan COMMON SENSE IN CHESS EMANUEL LASKER CHESS Tartan COMMON SENSE IN CHESS For half a century tals book has been a consistent best- seller. Ir his treatment ofthe process of development, the strategy of the middle game, the shaping ofthe attack and: the handling of the end game, fasker offers the novice ‘many valuable hints which will improve his game rapidly, Players ofall degrees of strength, however, have benefitted ‘erormously from the book's clear, shrewd exposition of some of the basic problems that are common to every game of chess. DAVID McKAY COMPANY, INC., NEW YORK oon saan OmeCOMMON SENSE IN CHESS Emanuel Lasker Frontspiee Dy Maximilian Mopp DAVID M&KAY COMPANY, ING.RocieBaltion Copyright 1946, by Daw MPKaw Go Reprinted June 196) Preface ‘THE FOLLOWING is an abstract of Twelve Lectures given before an audience of London chess players dur- ing the spring of 1895. It may be regarded as an attempt to deal with all parts of a game of chess by the ald of general principles. ‘The principles laid down are de- ‘duced from considerations oncoming the nature of Chess as a fight between two brains, and their concep- tion is based on simple facts. Their practical working has been illustrated by positions adapted to the purpose, and likely to occur over the board. Te has been my aim to reduce the different rules is ‘number as much as was compatible with clearness. They all, it will be found, have a remote leness, and it would therefore not have been very difficult to reduce their number sill more, Indeed, they may ultimately be united in one single Teading principle, which is the germ of the theory not only of Chess, but of any kind of Bight. This principle is sufficiently indicated here, but it is so general fn its conception, and the dificulty of expressing the whole compass ofits meaning in definite terms so enor- mous, that I have not ventured to formulate it. In a fu ture work, for which the present one shall pave the way, L hope to be able to illustrate the significance of that principle, and its capacity for showing facts in their right relation to one another. For that work I have also de- ferred the diseussion of some points which require very nice differentiation, such as all questions relating to the ‘maneuvering ofthe King and the exchange of men,vi Preface ‘The games and positions given in this book are com- paratively few, but they have been selected with care, [ therefore would advise the student not to attempt to read tho matter only, but to study it and sink some work to it. The rules deduced aro, I believe, very plausible. ‘This need not deceive the student, who will see thei sig nifleance in a clearer light if he tries to be reasonably skeptical and exacting in the matter of proofs. 4s regards the analytical notes about games or open- ings, I have tried to be short and to the point. Analytical detail is therefore not abundant, but, I think, reliable. The method of enumerating all the variations thought possible, or probable, has been aid aside, and in its place an analysis has been given, which makes use of both the ‘consideration of the leading variations and general prin- ciples. The diction and style of the work are those of a lecturer. Feeling that Ihave not been able to make them as perfect as I should have desired, I must ask for the Tenient judgment of the reader. take this opportunity for expressing my hearty thanks to Professor Villin Marmery for his kind assistance in Tooking over the proofs. Introduction OF THE thousands of books that have been written on chess, the vast majority have had a passing vogue, while farelatively sinall number are recognized as clasies. They continue to be read long after they were published, long after their authors have died, “Common Sense In Chess” is such a book. It has continued to be read because its method of presentation was based on an original idea Lasker was interested in setting forth valuable principles, rather than the myriad petty details which only obfuscate ‘the material and confuse the reader, "The object of this revision has therefore been to pre- serve all that was useful in the fst edition; to prune ont palpable errors; to modernize the work in the spirit in {which it was originally written, Every change has accord- Ingly been weighed carefully. The most radical departure hhas naturally been in the realm of the openings, which there have been so many advances that the original mate rial had lost much of its value for the reader. The revised ‘edition is now presented to a new generation in the con- vietion that “Common Sense In Chess” will prove more helpful than ever to players of all degrees of skill. New York, Jone 4, 1985Contents 1. Gonoral Principles of Opening Play 2. Ruy Lopez (Berlin Defense) 8. Ruy Lopes (Morphy and Steintz: Defenses) 4, Various Replies to 1 P-K4 5. Queen's Gambit Declined 6. The Indian Defenses eee 7. Bvans Gambit . 8, King’s Bishop's Gambit 9, The Middle Game 10. The Middle Game (Concluded) LL, Defensive Play 12, The End Game .. 18, The End Game (Concluded) 133 1s 1. General Principles of Opening Play Taras cosroscany to begin with definitions, bat 1 ‘am sure that all of you are so well aoquainted with the ‘essential parts of the history, the rules andthe character- istics of Chess, that you wil allow me to jump at once fn medias res. Chess has been represented, or shall Tsay amisrepresented, as a game—that i, «thing which could not well serve a serious purpose, solely erated for the enjoyment of an empty hour. If it were a game only, Chess would never have survived the serious trials ¢0 which thas, during the long time ofits existence, been often subjected. By some ardent enthusiasts Chest has ben clevted into science or tin at. tis neither, but its principal characteristic sems to ho— wat human nature rmostly delights na fight. Not «fight, indced, such as would tickle the nerves of coarser nateres, where blood Hows and the blows delivere leave their visible traces on the bodies of the combatants, but a fight in which the scentifc, the artistic, the purely ‘ntelletual element Ihlds undivided say. From this standpoint, a game of ‘Chess becomes a harmonious whole, the outlines of which 1 wall endeavor to describe to you in this conrse of lee- tures. The requisites in Chess are a bourd of ssty-four squares, and to bodies of men. We have therefore, ono great advantage over the general who is to lead an army Into the feld-—we know where to find the enemy, and the strength at his disposal. We have the gratifying know! éelge that as far as material strength is concerned we shall2 Common Sense in Chess ‘be equal to our opponents. Nevertheless, our fist step. ‘will be exactly analogous to that of a commander of an army. Firs of all we shall mobilize our troops, make them ready for action, try to seize the important lines and points which aro yet wholly unoceupied. This proceeding ‘will take, asa rule, no more than six moves, as wo shall see later on, If we should neglect to do so, our opponent ‘would avail himself of the opportunity thus given him, ‘would quickly assail some vital point, and ere we could rally, the battle would be Bnished. Let me, in illustration of my assertions, go over some well known litle games, in which mistakes and the pun- Jshment thereof are clearly traceable. 1.P-ka Pekd 2kt-KB9 P-a3 38-34 PoKRa? So far, with the exception of the last move, Black has played quite wel. He has opened lines for his two Bish ‘ops and the Queen, and now should bring out his QKt to BS. Instead ofthat, afraid of somo premature attack, he quite unnecessarily makes a move that does not give ad- ditional force to any of bis pieces. 4.4183 8-K5? A mistake. The Knights should be frst developed, then the Bishops. S.kixPHL Bxa? 6.8%? ch Kok 7.K1-@5 mate Principles of Opening Play 8 ‘Another tune to the same theme: 1.P-Ka Poké 2k K83 Kr-KB3 B.krxP Kr-83 Black evidently believes in the principle of quick de velopment, and even neglects to win back his Pawn, in ‘order to gain time. 4. kee xk 5.P-a3 B-aBe 6.B-K5? [A mistake; he ought to guard against the threatened Kt-KU5 with B-K2. Now he is overtaken by a catas- trophe. 6. Keel 7.8xa BxP ch SKK B-KIS mate Another variation PKs P-Ké LP BA Pep White, in order to aid his development, sactifices a Payin, Whether with good reason or not, we shall not argue for the present 35-84 2-854 4K-81 P-ad An excellent move. Black also sacrifices a Pawn, to in _vest is to say, in facilities for bringing out his pieces.4 Common Sense in Chess 5.BxP PeKKed 6. K1-KB3 QR 7.P-KRA A good move, which gives our Rook something to do. “The attack on Black’s Pawn, however, is only an apparent ‘one for the moment, because both the Kt and KRP are pinned, he PKR? He ought to develop a piece, or instance, B-Kt2. This ‘omission will cost him the game. S.BxP cht axe Not K x B?? on account of (9) Kt-KBch, 8.K1-KS o-K 10.0-R5 ch KK ILKt-Ki6chK-@1 2. KR axkt PxP Principles of Opening Play 5 And now we have two Pans and an excellently placed Rook for two pieces, while Black's pieces are all still at hhome, and his King in an unsafe postion. Between fairly ‘oven players the issue ofthe game is therefore decided in favor of White. Let me go over some moves which frequently eceur in ‘games of a close character. FRENCH DEFENSE (Nurnberg, 1853) Frits Mason P-k3 Pas wrk B-K2 An equally sold and safe continuation is (4)... .PxP, (5) Kx, B-K2ete. 5.axkt Bxe 6.4K P-K5 followed by Q-Ktt yields stronger attacking chances. 6... Contes 73-03 Peaks ‘The right move was (7) . . . P-BAl If then (8) P-KB, B-KS; (9) PxP, Kt-Q2i (10) P-KR4, P-BA! (11) PxP ep, BxP and Black has nothing to fear. Thus if (12) BxP ch? KxB; (18) Kt-Kt5 eh, K-KU (14)6 Common Sense in Chess Q-RS, BxKtch; (15) PxB, Kt-BS and White is a piece down and his attack is spent. Here we have a good example of the way in which ef- ficient and carefully considered development can re~ pulse « premature attack B.P-KS B-k2 9.P-R4 tently takes aim ageinst Black's K side. Black's Q side pieces have so little bearing upon the actual scene of battle that his game is already greatly ‘compromised. Go. B-KR? ‘The only comparatively safe move would have been B-RS! 10,8xP ch! KB LK KiSch KK If instead K-Ktl; (12) Q-R5, BxKt (18) PxB, P-BS; (14) P-Kt6, and mate cannot be avoided. Principles of Opening Play 7 I2.Kt-K21 BxKt 12 xB KBs If QeP; (14) Kt-B4 ch I, K-B4s (15) Q-Q3 ch, K-K¢5, (16) Q-R3 ch, Kx Kt; (17) Q-B8 mate, TAK xPep. K-82 5. K-84 RoR To protect himself against White playing R-KRT. But hhis defense is of no aval, as his cruel foe does not allow him a moment's repose. 16.0-K4i! RxR eh I7.K-@2 PxP ‘What shall he do? If R-RQ; (18) QxKP ch, K-BI; (19) Ke-Kt6 mate JS.Q-K16ch | K-K2 19.0-Ki7 ch K-KT DUQ-KiBch —K-K2 Baar ch K-81 First White drives the Black K into the most dangerous spot, and then comes the Snishing stroke— 22.RxR kK DLRA7chL | KxR 24.0-87 ch KR 25. K-Kié mate, ‘If we again critically glance over the few variations that ‘we have gone through, we must be struck by one fact, hamely, that the losing side had the greater part of his army in positions where they had no bearing whatever upon the questions at ise. They might have been just as ‘well anywhere elve but on the board. 1 have formulated8 Common Sense in Chess the rules for the development of the pieces according to my own experience over the board, and, I think, also ia accordance with established facts in the following man- 1. Do not move any Pawns inthe opening of a game but the K and the Q Pawns. IL Do not move any piece twice in the opening, but put i at once upon the right square {In my practice I have usully found it strong: st to post the Kes at BS, where they have a ‘maguifcent sway, andthe KB somewhere on his ginal diagonal, f not exposed to exchange, at Qu) IL. Bring your Kts out before developing the Bishops, ‘expecially the QB. IV, Do not pin the adverse Kt (by B-KKt5) before ‘yur opponent has casted. In regard to Rule I you will sometimes, especially in Q side openings, find ita better plan to advance the QBP. ‘two squares before obstructing it by your QKt. This, how ever, is the only exception, where the violation of the principles just laid down, is unquestionably justified ‘You will see that, secording to this plan, the mobilization, takes altogether six moves, consumed in the develop- rent of two Pavns, the two Knights, and the two Bish- ‘ops. You may be obliged to spend some of your time in the beginning of a game for the exchange of a Pawn oF a piece, or it may be necessary to make one oF two de- fetsive moves. But the real business of development ‘ought to be accomplished in no more than six separate moves devoted to that purpose. 2. Ruy Lopez (BERLIN DEFENSE) W save given in the previous chapter the theory of the Bist part of a game of Chess, and have, to a certain extent, attempted to prove and to illustrate it. It now re~ ‘mains to put it to practical test. For this purpose I shall discuss a popular form of opening called the Ruy Lopez, from the name of the Spanish bishop who invented it. It consists of the following throe moves:— LP -Ka Poa KI K89 K-83 98-5 (Of courte you will at once perceive that the threat, which White’ last move seoms to imply, viz, Bx Kt, fol- lowed by Kt, is only an apparent one, as Black will regain his Pawn easily. We are, therefore, at liberty to ‘make any developing move we please. The best defense fs (8) «+» P-QR3, making it possible to drive away White's KB later on, At fist sight (3) . . . P-QR3 vio- lates one of the previously listed rules of development, Dut, since it compels White to lose time as well, Black's development is not adversely affected, KiB White's next move may be (4) Kt-B3, or P-Q3, which ‘would give him « solid and, on the whole, strong gam. But these variations would not present any special dif culty to Black, who could continue, for instance, with P-Q8 and afterward adopt exactly the tactics recom ‘mended in the fist chapter. White has, however, other10 Common Sense in Chess continuations at his disposal which give him a harassing. attack, which Black must exercise great judgment to mect 4.Costls ‘What is Black to do next? According to our principles dhe may play B-K2, and actually this move may be made without any real danger. But this is not the question at fssue, The Black KKt attacks the White KP, which White has left unguarded. Is Black to accept the offer? I e sider this matter at some length, because it frequently presents itself, for instance, in all gambits fans KrxP ‘This move exposes Black to some danger, because he loses valuable time guarding or retreating this Knight B.R-KI [Not the best move, but one that most naturally suggests itself, ware Tax t Ruy Lopes (Berlin Defense) u ‘Cunning play. If Black now takes one of the Knights be loses, & Ret Kktekt SKIKE ch B-k2 O.KtxBI Kixa IO.KI-Ki6 ch Q-K2 11.R1@ and remains a piece aead B kt eKr B-k2 Castier JO.KExB ch K-RI Now see Whites mode of attack, which is rather ine structive and of frequent occurrence. 11-85 PKS (1) . . . P-KRS was somewhat better. 12.0-R6 P-a3 ‘White mates in two. Which isthe move? T.R-R5I PxR 14.Q-85 mate Retum to the position at Black's 7th move,w Common Sense in Chess We thus intercept the dangerous fle against our King and develop a piece—two great advantages. 8.105 Cosles 9.Kixkt aPxkt 0.8 ch KR} TL KB Qk 12.P-a3 Q-B4 13.8-K3 KR-K And Black's game is, if anything, preferable. You see hhow quickly White's attack has spent itself ont. But then the did not make the best of his position at move 5, Let us therefore return to that point. We develop and attack at the same time, while our Pawn cannot be taken, viz: (5)... PxPs (6) R-K1, P-BA (7) BxKt, QPxB; (8) KexP, threatening P-KBS,and should win, ay Bek Kt-Q8 instead leads to an early exchange of Queens. ‘The resulting pestion is about even, viz. (5)... -Kt-Q3; (6) BxKt, QPxB; (7) PxP, Kt-Ba; (8) QxQ ch, Ruy Lapes (Berlin Defense) 1 KxQ; (9) R-QI ch, K-Kl; (10) Kt-BS, B-K2; (11) P-KKS, P-KRS, eo. 6.a-K2 ‘Tho last move is more aggressive than PxP at once, ‘which would allow Black tne to do anything he pleases, for instance, to castle at ance, oto advance P-Q4. Con- sider the following variation as an example of what is Iikely to follow atte: (6) PxP, P-Q4; (7) PxP ep, Ktx QP, (8) BxKt ch, Px (9) Kt-K5, B-Kt2, and Black's picees are excellently placed 6... 1-03 Teak Kix not QPx B, which would apen the Q fle to White's Rook, eg (7) » ++ QPxB; (8) P&P, Kt-Bs, (9) R-Ql, BQ The Black QB and Q are now so badly placed that White has an opportunity of bringing the game to a vit tual fish by energetic attack: (10) P-K6, Px, (11) Kt-K5, threatening both the Bishop and QRS eh, and should therefore win. 5.x? akeuw Common Sense in Chess ‘The position now arrived at is unfavorable for Black for a number of reasons: 1. While White’s development can proceed in per- fectly normal fashion, Black's prospects are rather for- bidding: his Knight must lose two more moves to reach the center; his QB is temporarily stalemated, and quite some tine must elapse before this piece will be ready for action. 2, Black's Queen-side Pawns are weak, and this is par- ticularly true of his prospects for the ending, where he will be handicapped by the awkward and rather helpless doubled Pawns. 3, White's advanced KP exercises a formidably examp- ing effet on White's position, and in some cases the pres- tence of this Pawn will notably facilitate the formation of a stoong King-sde attack, ‘Here are some plausible variations 1 9.104 Castles 10.R-@1 an TLR To prevent either... P-B3 or... P-Qk. a Kiba [Not to be recommended, although in frequent use, 12. K4-Q89 8-ro 13.0-ket KK. T4 -85 KR IS. KI-KA White has « powerful King-side attack, Black is handi- capped by the awkward and ineffectual position of his pilooes. Ruy Lopes (Berlin Defense) 6 And Black is quite helpless against the threat R-K3- KR3 etc. 9.K1-@4 Costes 10.R-a1 ILRI 12.Ks-083 KK 18. K-85 P-a4 14.PxP ep. PxP. 15.0-kue Pek 16.8-R6 Keka. TEKtxB ch Qxkt 18.0-04 ‘White wins at least the exchange. m ‘The indicated continuation, if he is to try to get his Knight into play.16 Common Sense in Chess 12.RxB P-a6 13.PxP op. PaP 14.P-QKi4t ‘Very strong, The unfortunate Knight is kept out of play. Whites beautiful game, while Blac’ postion vite’ with "Pawn weakness and his development Trav much tobe dested "Thor we colds thatthe defense 8. Kt-BO is unsatifatory for Black 3. Ruy Lopez (MORPHY AND STEINITZ DEFENSES) Tous cuarren contiones the study of the Ruy Lope which his enjoyed immense popularity fr many years Its object is to exert prestre on Black's game from the very stata presure which can often become «- ceedingly uncomfortable forthe defender. PKs P-ka KY KES K1-QB3 S.B-KS [As we shal seo, this move does not threaten to win the KP, bust it threatens to... threaten, a. P-aR3 thas been pointed ont previously that this move dacs rot really lose time, since White must either retreat his KB (which contributes nothing to his development) or ‘exchange, in which case (4) . -. QPxB opens up the Giagonal of Black's QB and may thus be considered a developing move. 4.B-R4 Note that (4) BxKt, QPxB: (5) KtxP does not win ‘a Pawn; Black cun regain it with at least equality by playing (5) . . . Q-Ktd or (5) - -. Q-Q5. ‘An intoresting possibilty here is (4) BxKt, QPxBs (5) P-Q4, PxPs (6) QxP, QxQ (7) KtxQ and we reach an endgame in which the respective chances are18 Common Sense in Chest balanced fairly evenly: Black has two valuable Bishops which will be a distinct asset, while White has the better Pawn position, His four Pawns to three on the Kingeside should result in a pasted Pawn in due coorse; the same ‘cannot be said for Black's Queen-sde, because ofthe fact that the QBP is doubled. ‘There was sill no point in tying to win the KP, as ‘White's KP was attacked as well. ‘Now we come to a parting of the ways, as Black has ‘two distinct modes of procediare open to him, ' Bee B-k2 ‘This is the more solid way of continuing. Black de- -velops his KB and prepares to caste. ORK Guarding his KP and therefore really threatening, to win Black's KP by Bx Ke followed by KtxP. Ruy Lopez (Morphy and Steinits Defenses) 19 ‘An alternative which bas gained considerable favor in recent years is (6) Q-K2, with the likely continuation (6)... P-Okt, (7) B-KtS, P-Q3; (8) P-BS. White's plan isto proceed with R-QU and P-Qt—a very promising idea. 6. P-aki BK Pa Black's ast two moves have effectually disposed of any possible danger to his KP. 5.P-89 ‘This move has the double object of preparing a broad Pawn center with P-Q4, and also preserving the KB against (8)... Kt-QK4, which would force the ex. ‘change of the useful KB. 8. Kr-oRe Ie instead (8) . . Castes: (9) P-Q4, B-KU5; (10) 1-5, Kt-QN4; (11) B-B2, P-B3; (13) PxP, Ktx BPs (13) QKt-Q2 and White's position is preferable. 98-82 Pe ‘This fs relly the point of Blacks previous move. The text creates ample maneuvering space for Black’s pieces ‘on the Queenside, 10,P-a4 a-8 Giving the KP needed protection and at the same time preparing for future action on the QB file IL. P-KRS White wishes to avoid any inconvenience resulting {rom a future pin by the hostile QB.20 Common Sense in Chess IL... Costes 1.aK1-a2 epee TPP KB 147-05 KOK Apparently risky, but it is all according to plan. 15.B-KH1 P-aRé White was threatening to win this Knight with P-13, 16,3 KR ‘This is one of the best defensive systems aguinst the Lopez, and the position is about even. Black's QKt is ‘momentarily poorly posted, but will soon find an excellent square at QB4. The prospective struggle for the QB fle is likely to lead to an exchange of all the Rooks. Black's ‘most frequent diffealty in this opening, exposure to a lasting Kingside attack, is ruled out here " (See the Diagram on Page 18.) Bases KexP ‘This is more aggressive and also more risky than (5)... BK, 6.P-@s He can recover the Pawn at once with (8) R-KI or (6) Q-K2, but Black would have an easy game with (6) ©.» Ke-Ba ‘The object of the text is to get Black’s KKt into hot ‘water by means ofa possible pin on the K Ble; also, the advance of the QP helps White's development ae P-akt4 ‘The immediate (6) . . . P-Q4 would be bad because of (7) KexP with strong pressure on Black's game Likewise, (6) . . . PxP would be much too danger- ‘ous in view of (7) R-KI, P-Q4; (8) KtxP threatening Ruy Lope (Morphy and Steinite Defenses) 21 (9) P-KDS and (9) Kex Kt with catastrophic results for Black. Such “sel pioning” tactics usually court disaster snd are best avoided. 78-8 P-a4 Sexe 8-3 97-89 ‘To preserve the KB from exchange; he also ereates a strong point for his pieces at Q4. ‘The position now arrived at is intensely interesting be- cause of the sharply outlined clarity with which each side ‘ean pursue its goals: ‘White hopes for a King-side attack, based on the powerful position of his KP, supported by the advance P-KBA-5, the elimination of Black’s well placed Knight fon KS; and in some cases, pressure on Black's QB, which is a hole (that is, unprotected by Pawns). Black believes that he has ample resources to carry a Kingrside attack, and in some cases he may even snatch, the snitiative himself by means of . . . P-KBS or P-KB4; he will ty to maintain his KKt at KD; and above all, he will ny to play . . . P-QB4 in order to round out22 Common Sense in Chess his Quoen-side Pawns. Since be has four Pawns to three in that sector, he will often win by obtaining a passed Pawn, ‘To sum up, we may say that White's winning chances generally reside in attack in the middle game, whi Black's best opportunity les in effective utilization of hi ‘Queen-sde Pavins in an ending. Let us see some practical samples of the variation: 9. B-K2 ‘This has been considered Black’s best move for many years. However, (9)... B-QB4 deserves considera- tion; although it has the drawback of postponing the rounding out of Black's Queen-side Pawns, it has the positive virtue of posting the KB aggressively. Two pos- sibilities are: (9) . . . B-QB4; (10) QKt-Q2, Castles; (11) Q-K2, Ktx Kt; (12) Bx kt, B-KKt6: (18) B-KB4, R-KI with an interesting struggle for the initiatives o (9) « . . B-QB4; (10) QKt-Q9, Castles; (11) B-B2, KtxkBP!? (12) RxKt, P-B3. This venturesome con: tinuation, the consequence of the development of the Bishop to QB, leads to a complicated game in which at tack and defense are apparently pretty evenly balanced. Ruy Lopes (Morphy and Steinits Defenses) 2% There are numerous possibilities for White in this po- sition, but it seems that Black can get a satisfactory game inst any of them, Let us-sce: (A) (20) B-K1, Castles; (11) Kt-Q4, KtxKP! (Black sacrifices a piece, but gets a very strong attack); (12) P-B3, B-Q&; (13) PxKt, B-KKtS followed by (14) Q- RS with a powerful attack. ‘Note that (11) . . . Q-Q2? would lose a piece: (12) tx B and no matter which way Black recaptures, (13) Rx Kt! wins a plece. (B) (10) QKt-Q2, Castles; (11) Q-K2, Kt-BA; (12) Kt-Q4, KexB; (13) QKexKt, Q-°Q% (14) KtxKt, QeKt; (15) B-K3, B-KB4 The position is fairly level. Black's Pawn structure is somewhat weak, but he hs two good Bishops. (C) (10) B-K3, Kt-QR4; (11) Kt-Qd, Castles; (12) K¢-Q2, Kt-IB5 and the game promises to become very interesting (D) (10) Q-K2, Ke-B4; (11) B-B2, P-Q5! and Black stands well “Thus we see that in all these variations, Black can get 4 good game so long as he plays alerly and exactly. U ‘questionably this i a more dificult line of play than. Variation I ‘The Steinitz Defense is hardly played nowadays, be- cance it gives Black a eramped game in which the best he cean hope for is equality. LP-Ké P-Ka 2.KA-KBS Kt-083 8-5 P-a3o Common Sense in Chese ‘This is the basic move of the defense. 47-04 3-02 5.k1-89 1-83 6.BxKt xB 79-031 Very strong. As Whites KP is amply protected, Black has little choice but to capture; for (7)... . Q-K2 ‘would constrict Black's game unduly, while (7) . Kt-Q2: (8) B-K3 would practically force... PaP in view ofthe threatened (9) P-Q5. Black’ surrender of the center on is seventh move has greatly increased the scope of White's pieces. There are now at least two very promising ways for White to con- tinue: (A) (8) B-Kt5, Castles; (10) Castles (Q). White has Ruy Lopes (Morphy and Steinitz Defenses) 25 genuine attacking chances through the advance of his King-side Pawns. Black is condemned to passivity and his Bishops have very litle terrain, (B) (9) P-QKt8, Castles; (10) B-KW, B-Q2; (11) Castles (Q). Again White has fine attacking possibile, ‘enhanced by the striking power of his QB along the ‘diagonal, He can of course also eastle on the King-side ‘with a very good game. Black has litte to hope for in either of these evontuaites. ‘These considerations have pointed to 2 fnesse which improves Black's chances: LP-k4 Poké KY KS Ki-@03 S.B-KS Ki-B3 4.Costles [As we have seen (Page 10), this is White's best re- joiner to Black's last move. hae P-a3 Black's subtle transposition of moves has ruled out the possibility of White's eastling Queen-side, easing the de- fonse to that extent. 5.P-a4 2 Also posible is (5) . ... PxP; (6) KtxP, B-Q2 (7) Ke-Q63, B-K2; (8) BxKt, PxB; (9) Q-Q3, Castles; (10) P-QK(S followed by (11) B-Ke2 and (22) QR- Ql or QR-KI. White has much the freer game and attacking chances; Black's Bishops have better pros- ppeets than in the previous example. 6.Kt-B3 ZK BktxP26 Common Sense in Chess Black does best to simplify wherever possible, so as to minimize his lack of terrain. After (8). . . Castles, White could preserve his KB with (9) B-BL! leaving Black with a difficalt game. 9.axKt BxB 10. Kix P-aR3 IL 1-83 Castler Buck's command ofthe board tll painflly re- seicted, hot White's advantage har been Feded, He Sill hs the fee ene, more maneuvering space and clear initiative. Ta Tn moder tines, sill a further renement was ds- coved inthis defense LP -Ké PKA 2 kr-Kaa Ks-@83 S.B-KS POR 48-4 P-a3 ‘The Steinitz Defense Deferred. Ite an old Iie of play, but has been cleverly refurbished by modera masters. Ray Lopex (Morphy and Steinite Defenses) 27 ‘The chief idea of this defense becomes apparent if ‘White proceeds in the most ebvions way 5.P-a4 P-aKid Very important, Black does not have this move at his disposal in the regular Steinitz Defense, 68-8 kee Tktekt Pxkt 88-05 But not (8) QxP 2, P-QB4: (9) Q-Q5, B-KS; (10) Q-BGch, B-Q2 followed by (11) . .". P-BS avinning a Pioe 8 RKeI 9.8: Bech 0+ (9) QxP, Kt-B3 and Black has a good game, 9. 8-02 10.BxBch axe And it is clear that Black has a much better position than in the Stenitz Defense. However, retuming to the Diagram on Page 26, we ‘ean see that White has several good lines of play at his Alisposal (A) (5) BxKt ch, PxB; (6) P-Q4, P-BS, Black plays to hold the center, but his postion becomes terribly cramped. This is definitely not a kind of defense to ree ‘ommend to an inexperienced player. White ean continue with (7) B-KS, P-Kt3; (8) Q-Q2, Kt-K2; (9) Ke-B3, B-RKW; (10) Castles (Q) or (10) B-16, (B) (5) P-B8, B-Q2; (6) P-Qs, Kt-B3; (7) Castes. White has a good center andthe freer game (C) (5) PIB, B-Q2; 6 Kt-BS, Kt-BS; 7 P-Q4, White28 Common Sense in Chess has prevented . . . P-QKt4 and has a promising post tion in the center. All three lines should preserve a well-defined initiative for White In conclusion, the following clever trap in the Ruy Lopes wil be of interest ax steatig the dangers ofa clase defense: Pokd Kr-Q83 P-a3 8-a2 Krk ‘Threatening (7) Kt-KK5, oe. PxP 7 ktxP Now it scems that Black, in order to keep White's ‘Queen out of KRS, has a good way of developing his KB by means of . .. P-KKt3 and... B-Kt2, where the Bishop would certainly have excellent diagonal Tove P-kKia 8B KRIS In order to take possession of the diagonal which Black attempts to occupy. 8. BK S.KI-a51 Attack and counterattack, Be. Bxkt Anything else would be clearly disadvantageous. Black ‘is of course under the impression that White will continue Ruy Lopes (Morphy and Steinits Defenscs) 29 ‘with (10) KtxKt, when (10)... BxP would allow Black to get out of danger. But White has a more efficient move at his disposal: 10.08! ‘This i very awkward for Black. If now (10) - .- KtxQ; (11) Ke-B6 ch, K-Bl; (12) B-R6 mate. So nothing remains but to castle. Coles KR Kix@ KK4. Various Replies to 1P-K4 ene was a time when (1)... P-K4 was con: sidered the reply to (1) P-K4, In modern chess thie state of affairs has been almost completely reversed, and the range of the openings bas been widened enormously by the discovery, revival and intensive analysis of many in- teresting lines of play. SICILIAN DEFENSE Many masters consider this line of play the most ag sessive reply to (1) P-K4. “Refutations” have been an- nounced periodically, but the defense still maintains its pice in the tournament repertoire. True it is that this ‘defense is not for the timid nor fr those who fee! uneasy in complicated positions. LP-Ka P-aB4 2kt-K6a The “symmetrical” line of play (2) Kt-QBS, Kt-QBS; (3) P-KKIS, P-KKUS; (4) B-KU, B-Ke, (5) KKUK2, PKS; (6) Castles, KKt-K2; (7) P-Q5, Kt-Q5 or (5) = Kt-B3; (6) Castes, P-Q3: (7) P-Q3, Castles, (8) PLKRS, Kt-KI; (8) B-KS, Kt-Q5 gives Black a good hier the text, thee oustanding tines deserve con: sideration Various Replies to 1P-K au (2) . . . Kt-KB3 can easily lead to early tactical dif- ficulties in the opening, for example (3) P-K5, Kt-Qt; (4) P-Q4, PxP; (5) QxP, P-K3; (6) B-QB4, Kt- QBs; (7) Q-K4 and Black's game is uncomfortable. 3.P-04 PxP Ake Kt KB 5.K1-83 PRK ‘This line of play is known as the Dragon Variation. Black hopes to develop pressure along the diagonal by Banchettoing his KB. 6.8-K2 B-K 78-13 K-83 8. Costs ‘An adventurous alternative is (8) Q-Q2 followed by castling QR and the advance of the King-side Pawns. Black counterattacks via the long diagonal and the QB file, with a stormy battle in prospect. B.. Costes Pec B-k3 10.P-B432 Common Sense in Chess ‘The coming strategy of both players is clearly outlined, White has a choice of advancing the King-side Pawns or playing for the occupation of Q5, or a combination of bath plans. Black will try to make the power of his KB felt on the long diagonal, and he will operate on the QB Sle, hoping. to be able to plant a Knight at QBS. There is much scope for play by both sides. 2. P-a3 aP-a4 On (8) P-B3, Black has a good reply in (8) -- « Kt-KBS, 3 Pap “kx? xr-Kaa 5. K-83 PAKS Here we part company from the Dragon Variation, Black sets up a tather passive Pawn formation, which, however, has great potential power. Kiba P-OR3 8K @-82 9.K1-K19 Ka 10.P-aR4 P-aKS White must not be allowed to play P-RS, which would give him a powerful bind on QKt6, cramping Black's {game to an intolerable degree. 11.P-B4 Ke. Various Replice to 1P - K4 83 A very interesting and dificult position. White will play for a King-side attack by means of P-KKt4 and. Q-Kt8 (once Black has eastled KR). Black has three sources of counterplay: the QB file, the properly pre pated advance of his KP and the possibility of bringing & Knight to QBS. This variation requires precise timing. land micety of judgment. In recent years, White's attack fon the King-side has almost invariably proved stronger than Black's defense. PKs PxP rns 8-5 Apparently formidable, a (6) B-Q8 canbe answered by By ne P-Ki (1) KU-K3,P- QU with a good game, while if (6) P-BS ?, P-Q4! and Black has the initiative.38 Common Sense in Chess 6.P-K51 Kat Te (6)... Kt-KS; (7) Q-Ktt! is a winning reply, 7.0-Ke! PRIS 8.8-a2 White asa strong attack. FRENCH DEFENSE ‘This defense is more solid and less venturesome than the Sicilian Defense. Black often gets a cramped game, which gives White good attacking chances or the pros: pect of exploiting his opponents constricted position. On the other hand, the solidity of Black’s game is a good ‘weapon against premature attacks. 1px fa) 2-04 Fae Sxr-a89 (3) PxP, PxP gives Black an casy gome, as it gone cnaly leads to ymetscal position. The opening of his (QB diagonal is anther point in is favor. Various Replics to 1P Kf 35 ‘The more aggressive (3) P-KS also has its draw. backs, as it permits Black to engage in an immediate ‘counterattack, for example (3) . . - P-QD4; (4) PxP. Kt-K2!; (5) Kt-KBS, KKt-B3 followed by . . « Kt-Q2 swith a good game; or (4) P-QBS, Kt- QBS; (5) Kt-BS, Q-Kt3; (6) B-K2, PxP; (7) PxP, KKt-K2; (8) P-QKt3, Kt-Bf; (9) B-Kt2, B-KUS ch with a good initiative against White's somewhat weakened Pawn center, ‘After the text, there are three main variations to con- sider: ' Bee K-83 (3)... PP; (4) KtxP surrenders the center too readily and leaves White with # ne, free game and good attacking chances. 4.0-K5 8-KI5 ‘The most aggressive continuation. 5.P-KS After (5) PxP, QxP; (6) BxKt, PxB: (7) Q-Q2, Q- QML Black has a Satisfactory game, & PRS. Forced, Bxkt KrKS: ‘A fashionable variation which has been the subject of 1 groat deal of a36 Common Sense in Chess ‘Announcing bis intention of prosecuting a flrce at- tack. The safest reply is (8) . . . K-BJ, but it has the disadvantage of keeping the KR out of play for a long. time to come. PKK Kix P-ab4 1-63 ( Wim lel AMG AAG Be Ale ‘The game promises to become very interesting, as the threat of BxP i already in the air. Black parties the threat and at the same time begins counterplay on the other wing by: Bes. PxPt 1.x? @-K31 Black has an excellent game. If now (14) BxP?, PxB; (15) QxP ch, K-Ql; (16) Q-B6 ch, K-B2; (07) Qe, Qx P ch and wins, Various Replies to 1P-Kf aT " ian Kt-K83 4.8215 B-k2 [A playable alternative is (4)... PxP; (5) KtxP, B-K2. Black's game is slightly cramped but be has ex: cellent equalizing possiblities 5.PeKS In recent years, the olilfashioned (5) Bx Kt, B xB; (6) P-K5, B-K2; (7) Q-Kté has been revived. White has attacking chances which should be neutralized by Black with proper play. Kara? 6. PoRRAL ‘An interesting attacking line which has led to many Driliant games. The once popular (6) BxB, QxB; (7) Kt-Kt5 should not worry Black unduly, for example (7)... . Kt-Kt3; (8) P-QB3, P-QR3; (9) Kt-QRs, P- QB; (10) Kt- B2, Kt-RS; (11) R-KUL, P-QKt4 with ‘equal chances.as Common Sense in Chest It is difficult to suggest a satisfactory continuation for Black. Here are some attempts: 1 (6) . . . Bx B; (7) PxB, QxP; (8) Kt-R3, Q-R2; (9) Ke-B4, Ke-BI; (10) Q-Kt and White has & da _gerous lead in development in return for the Pawn, IE (6)... P-QB4 (7) BxB, KxB; (8) P-B4 Kt-QBG; (9) PxP, KUXBP; (10) Q-KU followed by casting, White has a clear initiative and Black’ King is permanently insecure. (7)... QxB is not good be- cause of (8) KEKU. UI (6)... P-KR3; (7) B-K3, P-QB4 (8) Q-Kes, K-BL; (9) Kt-B3, Kt-QB3; (10) Castles. Here again (our judgment must be the same as ia the former v IV (6) » » . P-KB3; (7) Q-RS ch, P-Kt; (8) KtxP; (9) Q-K2 or (7)... K-Bi; (8) PP, Ktx Py (9) Q-K2. In either event White has the better of i Black's King i unsafe, and Black has glaring weaknesses inthe center. a 8K A fighting defense which usually leads to a tense strug leit White wants to maintain the iiitive, 40S (4) PxP, PxP frees Black's position and gives him an easy game, 4. Pasa re) ‘White wants to lear the situation a once. A promising alternative is (5) B-Q2, PxP. (6) Kt-Kt5, 2B ch (7) QxB, Kt-QB3; (8) Kt-KD3, P-B3; (9) Q- Bf, Kt-R3; 20) Kt Q6 ch with a strong attacking game. Various Replies to 1P -K 39 Bxktch Kr-k2 ak-83 a-R PBS Black wants to cut down the mobility of the hostile Bishops and to decrease White's attacking chances by blockading the position, There are two good plans open to White: (a) P-Kt3 followed by B-KRG and if neces- sary Kt-R4 and P-Kt4 with a view to an eventual PBS; (b) P-Ré threatening P-R5-6; if Black plays . P-R4 in reply, White can continue Kt-Kt5, P-BS and. P-Kté with a strong game. The position always leads to Intricate play with fighting chances for both sides. CARO-KANN DEFENSE ‘This is defense much favored by conservative players who are anxious to curb the ambitions of aggressive op- ponents. Black sets up 2 solid attacking pesition which as a rule Ieaves few targets for White's attack. In recent yyeuts, however, highly promising attempts have been rad to give the game a more lively turn. The eonsensus Of opinion is that Black is left with a stodgy game in Which he must fight for a draw without having any real winning chances. As in the French Defense, Black sets up a solid bule wark in the center, but without the disadvantage of block ing the development of his QB. There are now two main lines to be considered.40 Common Sense in Chess 1 3.PxP Alter (3) P-KBS (the so-called “Fantasy Variation”) st would be foolhardy to allow White a brilliant gambit attack by means of (3)... PXP?: (4) PxP, P-K§ (5) Kt-KBS |, P xP; (6) B-QB4 land White has a beau- tial attacking position. Instead, Black plays (3) « P-KS, (4) B-KS, Kt-B3; (5) Kt-B3, B-KtBor (5) « [B-K2 with about even chances. a. PxP 4.P.OB4 ‘This thrust has been analyzed by Russian masters to good effect. The older line (4) B-Q3, Kt-QBS; (5) P-QBS allows Black to obtain a free game with (5) . . PKA, a the cost, to be sure, of an isolated QP. howe Kt-KEo 5.Kt-083, K-83 6.8-Ki5 PKS Inferior is (6)... PxP; (7) P-Q5, Kt-K4 (8) Q-O4, Kt-Q6 chy (9) Brkt, PxD; (10) Kt-B3, Black 45 behind in development and his game is disorganized. 74-83 (1) P-BS would be premature, because Black would beable to counter powerfully later on with . .. P-QKtS te Tene PxP Bax 2 Various Replies to 1P-K4 a “The position is approximately even. White has the root game and attacking chances; Black has pressure on the isolated QP. " 3. K-83, After (3) P-KS, B-B4 Black has an easy game: his QB is developed, and he can continue with .. . P-K3. and . .. P-QBA with a good initiative in the center. 3 PxP kre? BBs (4)... .Kt-B3; (5) Ktx Ktch confronts Black with a Aiffcult choice, If he retakes with the KP, he gives White f fine Queen-side majority of Pawns (see the discussion ‘of the Exchange Variation in the Ruy Lopez, P. 17). 1fhe plays (5) . . . KePxKt, he bas a poor Pawn position and Jhis King-side is broken up. The text-move is safer. S.KI-KO Bek 6. P-KRA PKR. 7-63 Kr-@22 Common Sense in Chess The plausible sltemative (7)... P-KS is ef fectively answered by (8) Kt-K5 and Black must lose time retreating the QB. 88-03 axe 9ax8 White has gained time for development by this ex- change; he now intends to castle QR, and Black must fol- low suit, fr if he castled KR, the advanced KRP would be an inviting target for attack, 9, er-23 10.8-a2 Peg U.CaslesQR ——Q-82 KKH Cosles 13.P-B4 P-B4 48-03 ‘Whites poston somewhat fer, and Blacks poston is ater unconfoabl H wil|continae to fd himself under constitprenie widot having any postbiity of active counterattack Not an stactne ine of play foe Bact Various Replies to 1P-K4 43 ALEKHINE'S DEFENSE Tn the days when “bypermodern” chess was fashion- able, this defense was a prime favorite. Its basio idea fitted in very well with hypermodern theory: Black lures ‘on White's center Pawns in the hope of demonstrating that such an advance is weakening. At frst thi policy scored notable suecesses, in some eases because White played too timidly, in others because White advanced too boldly. But once players with the White pieces learned hhow to take this opening in their stride, its popularity ‘waned rapidly. LP -kk fe Pos (2) P-Q8 i playable but too conservative. (2) Kt-QB3 is feasible, for example (2). P-Q4; (3) PKS, KKt-Q3; (4) P-K6!? with an interesting gam: bit attack; oF (2). « P-Q4; (8) PxP, KexP; (4) BoB KUKG, (5) B-KG, P-QBk (6) P-93, KU-QBS; (7) Q-RS! and the absence of Black’s Kt from the King- side may occasion him some dificuly. Qe. Kas 3 P-a4 P-as 4K KB White is satisfied with quict but effective development, ‘The bolder course (4) P-QB4, Kt-KtQ; (5) P- Bis also quite playable, but it makes heavy demands on White's Ingenuity and foresight Ae BK ‘The most natural development for the Bishop. 5.B-K2 PoxK3“ Common Sense in Chess Or (5)... P-QBS, (6) Kt-K6, BxB; 7 QxB ‘and White's development is more comfortable. 6. Coles Kr-cas 7-84 kek SPP ‘This exchange is timed to prevent Black from retaking with a piece. PxP White's development is freer and more harmonious. Black wall lose valuable time trying to find a good square for his KKt—a drawback frequently encountered by hies in this opening. 5. Queen's Gambit Declined Soiree Fee epee arn ee errata ka eee ides oe Se ee ieee casas aoe ee cee ere ee Sate che aeaenn panes thee Beier eee gle canes oe See 1, ORTHODOX DEFENSE LP-@t Pad 2P-aB4 PKS Some masters favor the acceptance of the Gambit by (2). - .PxP. The consensus of opinion is, however, that ater (3) Ke-KBS, Ke-KBS; (4) P-K3, P-K3; (5) BxP White has somewhat the freer game because Black's second move has surrendered control ofthe center rather hhuriedly. It should be added, by the way, that attempts to hold the gambit Pawn with such moves as (3) P-QKt are inadvisable asa rule, and in the hands of « tyro ace quite likly to turn out disastrously. 3.1083, Ke-K83 48K,46 Common Sense in Chess ‘A defense which bas been very popular in modern times is the Cambridge Springs Variation. The salient moves are (4)... QKt-Q2; (5) P-K3, P-B (6) Kt-BS, Q-Rt In order to take the sting out of the pin, White generally plays (7) Kt-Q2, with the likely con- tinuation (7) . . . Px Ps (8) BxKt, Ktx B; (9) KtxP, Q-B2; (10) PKB. “The position is a very interesting one, and not easy to ‘evaluate, Black has two Bishops, but their seope will be very limited. In the coming play, he will strive to open up the game with . .. P-Kéor . . . P-QB4: White, on the other hand, will of course be on the alert to compel Black’s game to zemain in its cramped state, say by rigorous control of the squares K5 and QBS. 4 BK 5PcKS Here again we have an interesting possible offshoot: the so-called Lasker Defense, This is seen in its most of- fective form after the following moves: (5) . . . Castles; Queen's Gambit Declined a (8) Kt-B3, P-KRS; (7) B-RA, Kt-K5; (8) BxB, QXB. The underlying idea is to simplify somewhat by exchanges, thereby casing Black's game, which often becomes dangerously constricted. Let us consider some possibilities: 1 (9) KtxKt, Pxkt; (10) Kt-Q2, P-XBA. Black stands well: he will eventually free himself with . . . P-K¢ and he has possibilities of King-side attack, TH (9) B-Q5, KtxKt; (10) Px Kt, PxP; (11) BaP, P-OKt3 followed by... B-Kt2and -. . P-QBA with a comfortable game for Black. TE (9) Q-B2, Kex Kt (10) QxKe, PxP; (11) BxP, P-QKt3 and Black will eventually free himself with . P-QBd. IV’ (9) PxP, KtxKt; (10) Px Xt, Px P; (11) Q-Ked, Q-Q5; (12) PBs, PxP; (18) BxP, Kt-B3 (14) Q-BS, B-KtS. A good Sighting game with chances for Doth sides, aa kt-@2 kr-33, Conor R ‘This move is the one now generally played here. Ex- perience has shown that the Rook often exerts consid: ‘erable power along the QB file. Some masters prefer (7) Q-B2 forthe same purpose. Another line of play which is popular with modern masters is the following: (7) PxP, PxP; (8) Q-B2, P-B3; (9) B-Q3, R-Kl; (10) Castles, Kt-BI. White plays to advance his QKtP to Kt5 in an attempt to create ‘weaknesses on Black's Queen-side. Black frees himself with... Kt-K5 and is frequently able to obtain good attacking chances on the King-side, The consensus of ex- pert opinion seems to favor White's prospects, but in any48 Common Sense in Chess ‘event, tis isa variation which ealls for expert knowledge of position play and accurate judgment. ite P83 Party to neutralize White's pressure onthe QD le and party to sopprt the allowing exchange mancave. Back Fas the general problem of sing his ume and evel ing his ple; he also bas the specie tsk of ringing cn hi QB stfactorty, at present thin pico & pr thal usless, The developoest ofthe QB often Backs ‘net serine problem inthis opening, aod many game iar been low toagh faire t solve ths problem. (7) oe B-QRU is now quite ot of fasion, = the weak wit goats on Black's Quensie generally lsd tosstonginitve for White on that wing. A promising Continuation is (8) PxP, PSP, (9) BKB ee 83-08 PP It is now or never. Black is determined to free himself. 9.x Kas 10.8xB axB Queen's Gambit Declined 49 1, Castles mn line with the poliey of keeping Black in a cramped positon, White might try (IL) Kt-K4 here. Black would ‘gradually extricate himself, say by (11) . . « KKt-B3: (12) Ke-K0S, P-Kl; (13) Castes, PxP; (14) Kt-B5, Q-Ql: (15) KKtxP, Kt-K& (16) B-Kt8, Bx Kt; (17) RexB, P-KKt3. Black has nothing to fear now, and bis Queen-side majority of Pawns should be useful in the endgame, mh... Kok 12. Ret P-Ka 13. PxP Kx? 14. Kexkt ‘This simplifying line gives Black many chances to go wrong. axkt aks 8-84 Pes60 Common Sense in Chess ‘The position is about even: (19) B-B2, Q-Q4; (20) R-QU, Q-RA (21) RAR, QxM; (22) QIQ Rx Qete. II. SLAV DEFENSE 1.P-04 P-a4 2.P-0B4 P-@3 ‘The move that gives the defense its name. The basic idea is that in many variations, Black can readily develop his QB. 8. Kr-KB3 K-83 40-89 On (4) P-K3, Black’s best course is doubtless (4) + BoBA hee PxP + « PKS; (5) P-K9, QKt-Q2; (6) B-Q3 White has avery comfortable game, for example (6)... B-QG, (7) P-KA, Px KP; (8) KtxP, Ktx Kt (9) Bxikt ete Queen's Gambit Declined a Another possibility after (6) B-Q3 is (6)... PxP. (7) BxBP, P-QKt4; (8) B-Q3, P-QR3. This is the sir called Meran Defense, and the latest researches definitely favor White. A likely continuation is (9) P-K4, P-Bi (10) P-KS, PxP; (11) KtxP, KtxP; (12) Ktxke PaxKt; (13) Q-BS, B-Kt5 ch; (1d) K-K2, QR-KtL, (15) Q-Ke3, Q-Q3; (16) Kt-B3, QxQ (17) RPxQ te, White regains the Pawn and remains with the better ceading 5.P-aR4 A promising altorative is (5) P-K9, P-QKt4; (6) P-QR4, P-KU5; (7) Kt-R2, PKS; (8) BxP, QKt-Q2; (8) Castles, B-K12; (10) Q-K2, P=; (11) R-QU! with an excellent game. Bee Ba 6.K4-Ks @xt-a2 TRxP (4) 82 8. P-KKS ‘A good move. White prepares to fanchetto his KB and also to develop his QB to BA. Bee. Peka 8.PxP KexP 10.884 Ker-@2 Although Black has “freed” himself with... P-K4, his game is stil far from easy.2 Common Sense in Chess White's position is definitely preferable. He need not fear (14)... BxKt; (15) QxB, KtxQ; (16) BxQ which leaves him with the better game. Black is embarrassed for a wholly satisfactory con- tiavation, Whites pieces bear down strongly an the center and Queen-side, and he ean continue with such moves as P-R5, practically paralyzing Black’s Queen's wing. 6. The Indian Defenses ‘Tats branch of the openings has been formulated and systematialy elaborated only in the last thirty years ‘Today these openings are the very hallmark of com. temporary chest KING'S INDIAN DEFENSE 1.P-@4 we-K39 2 pce PKS Black avoids occupying the center with... P-Q4. He intends to contre the center by Banchettoing the KB and playing... . P-KA later on. The drawback to this plan is that White gets control of a substantial amount of terain 8.K9-083 Beka 4P-K4 P-a3 5.P- KRIS Another line of play favored by some leading masters (5) Kt-B3, Castles; (8) B-K2, QKt-Q2: (7) Castes, P-K4; (8) P-Q5, Kt-BA; (9) Kt-Q2, P-QR4; (10) (Q-B2, On the whole, the text continuation is more promising. Bee Costes 6.8-Ki2 Qkr-a2 7. Kkt-K2 1 An important deviation from the natural development of the KKt to B3. The text does not impede the action of the KB, and in addition it makes possible an early P-B4 inreplyto. . .P-Ké,Be Common Sense in Chess z Poka Pas Beginning a strategy of cramping Black's position. (8) Castles is also quite good, for after (8)... PxP; (9) Ktx P, Kt-Bd; (10) P-K13, R-Kl; (11) R-K1 followed by (12) B-Kt2 White's position is manifestly freer and richer in perspectives. 5. Poe White is making preparations to dislodge Black's QKt when it eventually reaches QB4. White can also proceed strongly on the other wing with P-B4. In master play, the reslts have steadily favored Whit GRUENFELD DEFENSE ‘This is an offshoot, in more promising form, of the King’s Indian Defense. 1LP-a4 K-89 2.P-aB4 P-KKS 3. Kt-@B3 P04 ‘The Indian Defenses 55 ‘There are a great many possibilities, all of which seem toassure Black a satisfactory gam ' 4PxP Keep S.PKA Keke Pet White has selected the most ebvious course, and his built up an imposing center. b.. pease The key to ak’ strategy Te strikes at White’ con tery meus of he tox in combiaton i the coming Anh of hs KB. Ines Black doe ot play hp move atone tan be prevented fr ng ine byoens aka eas Coates Back stands well, He has song pressure along the diagonal, and veay to conte sath BSR or SAE Q-R, poly proseled by ss PxE,56 Common Sense in Chess u 43-34 B-ke SPAS Castles Offering « Pawn in return for quick development: 6 PxP, KtxP; 7 KexKt, QxKt; 8 BxP, Kt-B8, Black's pieces come out very rapidly, and White may soon find himself in serious difficulties. R81 If (6) Ke-BS, P-BA! (7) QPxP, Kt-K5! or B-KS and White's position i exposed to troublesome treats, The basic idea of . . ..P-B4 IIs to ty to clear the diagonal for Black's KB, and also to prepare for Q-R4, often with a dangerous attack against White's pinned QKt. ‘Another possibility PrP; (8) PxP, Qkt-Q2. Black will regu later on with a promising initiative. 6.. P-Bat Again Black plays for counterattack. This position is still the subject of theoretical disputation, but there ean is (6) Q-Kt8, P-B4I (7) BPXP, the Pawn The Indian Defenses aT be little doubt that the positon is extremely promising for Black and that White must play with the greatest eare ithe is to avoid a permanent disadvantage. am 4.0-K9 Played to compel Black to make up his mind at once bout how he is to proveed in the center. However, the ‘move is open to the objection thet the Queen is brought ‘out too early in the game. 4 PxP S.Qxee B-K3 69-03 PoBat In most variations of this opening, Black stands or falls by the early advance ofthe QP. Failure to make this ad- vance in the present variation, for example, would con: demn Black to lasting inactivity in the face of White's P-K4 etc. 7.PxP Kero Whether or not White exchanges Queens, Black has a tremendous lead in development and should regain the sacrificed Pawn without much trouble. PKS ‘The most conservative possibility at White's disposal; by the same token, it should not give Black too much dificult. BK Cosies Peta Poke58 Common Sense in Chess (7)... KU-K5?; (8) PxP, KtxKt; (9) PxP! loses 1 Pawn for Black, S.8-K2 9. Castles 10. KR-QI ILBxP 12. QR-81 13.8-K2 ‘The position is approximately even QUEEN'S INDIAN DEFENSE ‘This is one of the moder defenses with which Black avoids the symmetrical occupation ofthe center resulting from the moves (1) P-Q4, P-Q&. In playing the Queen's Indian Defense, Black intends to control the center not by occupation, but by the action of his pieces, LP-a4 Kt-KB3 2.P-a84 P-K3 3. kt-xB3 P-aKs ‘The Indian Defences 39 Black will control K5 by fanchottoing his QB. AP KRIS ‘This is considered the best antidote to the Ranchetto. (4) B-KtS, B-Kt2; (5) P-K3, B-K2; (6) Kt-B9, Kt-K5 or (5) Kt-B3, B-Kt5 offers Black no difficulties. hows BK 5.8K After (5)... B-KU5 ch; (6) B-Q2, Bx B ch; (7) QeB, 0-0; (8) Kt-B3, P-Q3; (8) Q-BE followed by P-K4, White has an appreciably freer game. In this variation, White’s QB does not have much chance to be very effective; heneo it is preferable to avoid the ex change 6.Comes Castles 74-83 KE-KS60 Common Sense in Chess Black continues the fight for control of KS. 8.0-82 Krxkt 9.QxKt After (9) Px Kt, the doubled QBP frequently turns ‘out to be a serious weakness Bee 8-83 Other possibilities are (9)... P-Q8, (9) P-QB4 and (9)... P-KBA, The position is shout NIMZOINDIAN DEFENSE This isthe most complex and the most interesting of all the so-called “irregular” replies to 1 P-Q4. Elaborated by the great modern master Nimzovieh, the defense abounds in finesses and cals for strategical understand ‘ng of the highest order. Whoever undertakes to play’ rust remember above all that it calls for an aggressive spirit at all times, LP-a6 wr 2P-aBe P.O 3.K1-083, BS Here again we see an avoidance of the arthodox reply (8)... P-Q&. White now has a number of eontints- tons at his disposal, which will be considered separately. ' 47-0 An instinctive reply: White wishes to do away with the pin atthe earliest possible moment. In addition, the text confers certain advantages, among them being two Bishops and a solid Pawn formation in the center which augurs well for White's attacking chances. The Indian Defences a 7 Bxkich 5PxB Pees Black, on the other hand, is not without consolation: he reasons that concentration on White's weak doubled Pawn should give Black good counterplay. 67-83 White is playing to establish a broad Pawn center. eee kia ‘The alternative is (6)... P-Q4; (7) P-KS, Castles; (8) BPxP, KtxP and again Black has a good game. This is defintely a variation for aggressive players. 7.P-Ke P-03 8K Poa 9.P-a5 Kr-oRe ‘The position is interesting and dlifinlt, White will continue with B-QS, Kt-K2-Kt3 followed by P-B4ee Common Sense in Chess after castling. Black will play . . . P-QKt8 followed by BRS menacing the weak QBP. A lively struggle is in prospect. 0 40-82 A quieter variation, but one which often assures White an advantage against less than the best play. 4 P-a4 ‘The simplest. (4) . . . P-B4 is playable, but it often results in a weak QP after the reply (5) Px. If (4) = « Kt-B3; (5) Kt-B3, P-Q3; (8) P-QRS, Bx Kt ch; (7) QxB, P-QR4 (8) P-QKt3, P-Q3; (9) B-Kt2, Castles; (10) P-KU3, Q-K2; (11) B-Kt2 and White’ celfective Bishops tell in his favor. S.PxP axP (5)... PP; (6) B-Kt5 leads to rather a lifeless sgeme for Black, 67-43 Pe 7.8-a2 Apparently best. After (7) P-QR3, BxKt ch; (8) Px, Castles, (9) Kt-B9, PxP; (10) BPxP, P-QKt3, Black has an easy game, ee Sox tis dificult to decide whether Black’s free position is satisfactory compensation for White's two Bishops. axkt The Indian Defenses 63 piace 4.0K 1-89 Also playable is (4) . . . P-B4; (5) PxP, Kt-BS; (6) Kt-B3, Kt-K5; (7) B-Q2, Kes QBP: (8) Q-B2, P-BA; (9) P-QRS, BxKt; (10) Bx, Castles; (11) P-KKUS followed by B-Ke.68 Common Sense in Chese Black stands well. He can fortify the position of his KKt with... P-B4, wv 4.P Ka A quiet line of play, with which White announces that he is content to rely on his skill in the middle game. hoes Poke Other playable moves are (4) . . . Kt-BS, (4)... P-Q3 or (4)... P-BA or even (4). « Castles 5.8-a3 Black has at least an even game. 7. Evans Gambit Tss gambit i constited bythe following moves:— 1.PKa Peka Kt KOS Ki-@83 3.8-B4 B-b4 4.P-QKH ‘There is no necessity for Black to accept the offer of the Pawn. On the contrary, if he roties with his Bishop to 3 in reply, he will, as White's last move has in no way. furthered his development, gain a small but distinct ad- ‘vantage in position. The play which would then ensue66 Common Sense in Chess reas P-a3 8. costes rk soon to be followed by... P-B3 and... P-Q4, Black’s pieces are all well placed, no matter whether White castles at his eighth tum to move, or defers that ‘yet for some time. If White therefore sacrifices a Pawn, by giving the gambit, Black sierifces the sure prospect of positional advantage by taking it. The idea of the gambit is very obvious. We want to continue, if... BxP (or... KexP), with 5.P-83 tnd later on proceed with the advance of the QP, so as to obtain a very strong center and to open several lines for the attack of the pieces. The Bishop ean retire to either B4, Rd, K2, to his own square, oF to Q8, where he is not so baclly placed as at fist sight appears, The best players favor . .. B-RI or B4, with a preference for the former. If we retire to Bd the Bishop may be attacked again by P-Q4, while, on the contrary, ... B-RA ‘counteracts that advance. On the other hand, the Bishop at RA will take away from the QKt an important point, from where he might attack the White KB. But taken, allaround, tse B-Re seems tobe the preferable move White has now two formidable continuations: 6.P-a4 naturally suggests itself fst, although itis not of such lasting effect as another move which we shell consider later on. Evans Gambit or Black will answer 6... PxP 7. Comes PxP ‘The weakest point in Black’s camp is the KBP, so we follow up our attack by 8.0-K13 Black can reply with either... Q-K2 or Q-BB. From K2 the Q has hardly any move that is not commanded by Whites pieces, therefore a-83 in the expectation of embarrassing Black's development, a neither the QP nor the KBP can advance for the present without being taken, with the effect that all lines Are opened up to our pieces, G2. . a-Ks TO.kixP KKI-K26s Common Sense in Chess In this position we already see that Whites attacking moves are pretty well exhausted, He has only a very “unsatisfactory eontinuation, 118-3 which gives to the Bishop a Tong fle merely in exchange for anather one. ‘This position has been the subject of analysis for many decades, and several variations have heen found which seem to leave Black with « comparatively safe K position ‘and a Pawn ahead. None of the continuations given seem to be superior to the one that follows, nL. Bxks L.@x8 P-OkS 13.8-@3 Rs Not... Q>R4, as (14) BxKt, KxB; (15) P-K6 might follow. 14. KR-@1 2 and itis difficult to see in which way White will make ‘good his minus of two Pawns. This line of play, the so-alled Compromised Defense of the Evans Gambit, leads sometimes to very brilliant combinations. Let me give yo an instance of this at ‘move 11 of our principle variation, IL. Castles 12. aR-a1 KR-KI 18, K1-Kal axkt? Id. BxPch K-81 15.8-K8 P-a4 I6.PxPep. Kee TKI K1S 18.0-87ch —QxQ 9. K1xP mote Evans Gambit 69 Instead of (6) P-Q4, the greatest connoisseur of the Evans, Mr. Tehigorin, favored (6) Castles, with the ob- ject of maintaining his center, It cannot be doubted that this line of play is more in keeping with the original idea of the gambit. Black, in accordance with the principles laid down in Chapter 1, must either play his QP or his KKt. It is usually the best policy when you are subject to a violent attack to move the QP, and when you are the aggressive party to develop your pieces frst. Tn the positon before us 6... Pas appears therefore to be the accepted sounder play. 77-04 PxP SPxP Ke Teads to the “normal position” of the Evans, The four Pawns that White has gathered on his K wing against Black's three, exert a considerable amount of pressure on Black's pioces, the more so as Black will be obliged to0 Common Sense in Chess leave his K on the dangerous side, It is true that Black may establish three Pawns to one on the other wing; but then it will tke him a great deal of time to force the fighting on that side, while White's pioces will soon be in direction and ready for assault, Various continuations have been recommended as best for White; but it seems to me that the old way of playing is as good as any. The line of play usually followed by the old masters is 9.P-a5 oa 10.8-K Krk 113-03 PKB 12. K-83 Costes It is not my intention to analyze the pesition by the ‘method usually followed, of simply enumerating all pos- sible variations, Such analysis, unless itis very thorough, Leontend, is quite useless. It certainly, as the experience ‘of many centuries indispatably shows, would by no ‘means exclude the possibility of committing grave errors, and it usually puts into obscurity the noints of view from ‘ans Gambit n which the essential characteritis ofthe postion may be deduced, ‘Without going into details, this much is certain, either (a) Black will advance hie KBP to Bf; or, (b) He will initiate an attack on the Q side with + P-QB4,... P-QRS,... BBY... P-QKt4, ete, oF, (c) He will be content to break up White’ strong center by . . . P-QB. ‘There is, indood, no other plan de campagne to fellow. ‘As regards the fist point, i i easily seen that such an ‘advance would not increase the defensive strength of Black's postion. Ie would open the file of the White QB, the point Kd to the White Kts (after the exchange of the Pawns), and probably facilitate the joint attack of the ‘White KBP and KKtD. (B) This was the plan of defense, or rather counter: attack, in Andersson's tierce. White will obtain the ad- ‘vantage in the following manner: 13.K-RE Krk 1. K1-Q2 P-aBa 15.734 P-QR3 T6.KS-K2, 8-82 ITs K83 Poked 15,P-65 Kika 19.Kt-B4 vill represent pretty accurately the state of affairs ten or twelve moves after the normal postion has been arsived at. It takes at least seven moves to bring the ick Pawns to their destination, In the meantime White is free to advance his KKt Pawn in two steps to Kt5, and to open up a pernicious attack against Black’s K side,2 Common Sense in Chess (c) White's policy will be exactly as in (b), to ade vance his KBP. IF Black exchanges the QBP against the QP, the KP will retake, and the Black QKt will be wn- favorably situated. Black has in this variation practically ro chance of winning, in spite of his extra Pawn, while tho attack of White is very lasting and dangerous, It seems then that the normal position will yield to White much better chances of winning than if wil to Black, Af you want to simplify matters, I advise you to play ft Ks at once, with the object of converting your extra material into positional advantage. If then (8) PxP, PxP; (9) QxQ ch, KtxQ; (10) KtxP, Kt-KB3. Black’ solid Pawns and good, sound development will make it hard to White to keep up the equilibrium, as his QRP and, more 50, the QBP require constant care. If, on the other hand, (8) PxP, PxP; (9) Q-Kt3, Q-BS, (10) B-Q5, Evans Gambit 3B KKt-K2; (11) B-KU, Q-KIS; (12) QBxKt, KxKt (13) BxKt, QxB; (14) Kex P, Q-K5; (15) Q-R3 ch, P-BA or K-B3, with two Bishops, a healthy develop. iment of forces and a solid postion. ‘One ofthe finest games on record was played at a time when the analysis of the Evans Gambit was not yet far advanced. It has been named “the evergreen partie.” (Bertin, 1852) Anderssen J, Dufresne LP-K4 Poka 2K KS K1-083 8-84 BxP BR PxP P-a6 Anow obsolete defense, 8.0-K3 9-33 9.P-KS a-Ks 10.8-R3 Kr-K2 IL R-K1 P-Qkes 12x? R-aksl 13.0-R6 8-3 4. aks-2 Beka 5. Kt-Ka Q-B4 16.8xP a-R4 TEK-B6chl xk 18.PxP RKCommon Sense in Chess 19.0R-Q1 tl One of the most subtle and profound moves on record. 1... axkt D.ReKEch I KERR 21a xP chil Grand! a. kx@ 2.8.85 ch KK 23.8-07 ch KBr 24 Bxkrmate fat move 20 Black continues with (20)... ,K=-Qhs (21) RxP ch!, K-Bl; (22) R-Q8 ch, Keak; (23) Q-Q7 chill and mates in two more moves 8. King’s Bishop’s Gambit T ss opening constitute by the following moves: 1 -ke P-ka DP Kae PxP 38-84 fT remind you of Rule Ht you will admit that the development ofthe B isnot in secordance with our fen omental principles. Actually the move ofthe KE to BS ‘would be fa stonger, as it leads toa fatly even game, ‘hile the KB Gambit should be lest to the frst player. ‘The defense wil, before all, distur the quiet course of Whites development, by (3). 5 Qe16 eh, to ‘which White is botind to answer with 4K-81 According to the principles of development, either the QP or one of the Kts should move, White is threatening to bring forth an enormous force in no more than three ‘moves, to bear upon the center of the board, namely, Kt-KBS, Kt-QBS, P-Q4. Black dare not quietly submit {o that, as forthe moment his Q is exposed to danger. To keep the White K in his unsound position, to spoil the plan of White, and to aid the quick development of Black’s forces, the hest policy is the most aggressive one, thatis, the one initiated by the sacrifice ofthe QP. 4. P-a4t SBP76 Common Sense in Chess Now, before anything els is undertaken: 5. Peak Our Bishops have two long lines; our Kts have only one move to make to occupy points of importance, and to add to the firmness of our position. We ean, therefore, spare the time for this advance of the KKUP, destined to protect ‘our KBP against all possible attack, and to render the K side unsafe for Whites pieces, An excellent reply. ‘The Bishop not only protects the Rook, but guards the two center points, QU (Q5), KB (x), 5.P-a4 PKR 9.K-KnT Q-ke 10. K-83 Krk? So far, everything went allright, because White con- sistently played for the development of his minor pieces. Now it becomes apparent that the White QR 1s avk- wardly placed, and the QB no less. The K position need not give any anxiety, but the Q has somehow no good prospects of serving her cause. At the same time, Black is quite safe—there is only one weak point in his camp, the KBP—and any possible attacks of the White minor pieces in the center are obviated by the clever sacrifice of the fourth move. ‘The difficulty of White's Queen-side development will prove fatal King’s Bishop's Gambit 1 11.0-@3 preparatory to B-Q2, eine P-a83 BK B-Ks! Here the QB has a splendid position safe of all possible attack by inferior piooes and with R4 as a safe retreat, 2 K-02 14, K-B2 Costes GR78 Common Sense in Chess Al the weakness of the White game becomes now at ‘once apparent. His K and QP are exposed to the most direct attack of the hostile K and Kts, and KB. Try what ‘he may, the day is gone. Black threatens . . . Bx Kt and + KU-K4, If (15) Kt-K2, Kt-QB4 wins directly. If (15) PxP, PxP; (16) Rx R, BR the danger is not obviated. If finally (15) Q:B4, Bx Kt; (16) PxB, Kt-K4; (17) Pxkt, RxB ch; (18) K-K1, KR-QU (19) QxP, QxQ; (20) BxQ, BxP; (21) B-KB. BxKt; (22) PxB, Kt-K0, followed by Kt-K4, is at least one way of obtaining a great adv Let us return to move Ii, and vary White's play. 11,P-K5 12.B-ka 18.@-K2 UBB ‘White is obliged to undertake some kind of attack, or Black will Castle QR, and the breakdown of White's center will be practically certain, ISK KA PKs Now, at lat, this advance is justified, because the QP has lost its protection by the Q. 16.Kt-Q6ch KB TKK Pxkt ‘and wins a piece or (17) P-R5, Px Kt or (17) Kt-KI. KtxKt; (18) PxKt, Bx Peb, and should win, ‘We must therefore come to the conclusion that the KB gambit isunsound. I will not pretend that there is any. ight and wrong in Chess from an ethical standpoint, but by what right should White, in an absolutely even position, such as after move 1, when both sides have ed King’s Bishop's Gambit 0 vanced P-K4, sacrifice « Pawn, whose recapture is quite tuncertain, and! open up his K side to attack? And then follow up this policy by leaving the check of the Black Queen open? None whatever! ‘The idea of the gambit, if it has any justification, can only be to Tre Black into the too violent and hasty pursuit of his attack. If, there fore, we can obtain by sound and consistent play the superiority of postion, common sense triumphs over trickery, and rightly so When the analytical and theoretical knowledge of Chess was not so far advanced at at the present time, famous players frequently chose the lively forms of de- velopment which are the ontcome of gambits. One of these games, though unsound in the highest degree, has been of such exceptionally brilliant character that it was honored by the players of the time with a special name. We know it as “The Immortal Game.” Here its moves fallow: (London, 1851) Anderssen Kieseritzky 1.P-KA 2.P-Ke4 PxP 38-4 @-R5ch 4K-81 Okt 5.BxP BS 6.KI- KS Q-R3 7-03 Kira S.KI-RA P83 9.K4-B5 Q-Ks 10. PKK Ka ILR-A Pee 12, -RA @-Ke80 Common Sense in Chess 13, PRS @-K4 Krk Q-83 34 T have not del on the constant vation of principle by Blade Th tomequence of hs Imagine sees 'dhatnone of his pecs ace developed and here White could have smashed Black up by advancing fst PQ Thess axe 188-660 Aine stroke, axReh BxR gaGbstucting the line from QRS to KKI2 A gloons 2... K-aR3 QU KIxP ch K-a1 22.Q-B6chI Kt @ 28.8 -K7 mate 9. The Middle Game Soo far wo have considered the fist prt of a game of Chis, called the opening, and usualy embracing shout a dozen moves. The object of development i, ae have Seen, to got the piaces into action, and to place them on favorable line, n odor to ave therm at hand when yo intend to make them “work” The proces: of making Pieoes in Chess do something useful (watever ft may Fro) has received a special name i ealled the attack. The attack is thot process by mean of hich you remove cbstractons, That is 20 in every ight, whether it be battle, or aight with swords, or boring encounter, this definition will aways apply. Tet us compare the ane of Chess to some other fight for instance, to a battle, Two armies opposite cach other aro attempting to destoy, or atleast to frighten, tach ther, The annie, if aboxt even in numbers, ad tbo afar as favorable position i concerned, wil exch Ihave a superiority in some qoartr which will enable thom not on to od thelr opponents therein ebeck, but tbo to dive them out of their postion. Three things determine whether an attack shold e made, and, if 30, fn which manner Fist ofall, the proportion of the a. tacking fore to that direlly opposing it in numbers Secondly, the nature of the’ suroundings; thirdly, the relation ofthe fores engaged tothe rst of tho army. “The third consideration wil induence the time in which the attack mst be executed, whether rapidly (Hf the advent of reserve fore must wader all circumstances be avoided) or step by step in other words determines82 Common Sense in Chess whether we should make it our object to economize in time, or in material force at our disposal. ‘The surroundings will, in part, add to the defensive strength of our opponents, and in part take away from ‘Their character will determine which part ofthe hostile force is exposed to the effect of our weapons, and which is shielded; where we can advance with comparative safety, and which part of the ground we have to traverse rapidly; in other terms, which are weaknesses to be as- salled, and which our strong points toward which to advance. The first consideration will tell us whether, after we have gained, by the methodieal destruction of the obstacles in our way, a position of advantage, we are able to destroy or drive away the opposing force; or whether the object of our attack, if obtained, i a suli- cient compensation for the lives sacrificed. If, in any kind of fight, the rules for attack are laid dawn, the three things mentioned must be studied, ‘in Chess the soldiers are the men and the general isthe ‘mind of the player. If anything that is subject to the pose bility of an attack be a weak point, all men, and espe- «ally the King and the heavy picees (Queen and Rooks), ‘would be such; we shall, however, call a weakness only ‘such pieces, or group of pieces, as in proportion to their importance have a defect in defensive strength, for in- stance: a Queen, that has only a very limited range of action, or a Pawn that cannot advanee nor yet be pro- tected by other Pawns. A weak point is a square—not necessarily occupied—which can only be attacked by heavy pieces like the Queen or the Rooks, so that Pawo, Knights and Bishops, or eventually also Rooks, protected by other men, are there quite safe, Our opponent's weak points we shall name strong points, speaking from our point of view. If we can occupy a strong point by one of The Mite Game = cnr pices, which has rom ther lange sphere of ation, {he bate i often bul doce inou fave, ‘Obstruction in Ches are pies of minor importance which intercept the lines of eton of our men. Ti 88 Tl, easier to rernove them when they are host mes, Bein my etn tc by 0 ay ooh es that we ean Saly sly captare then tis dit Terent when for festance, neo xr own Pas, blocked ty one ofthe Pawny or pees of the enemy, stands in cc way and wore sl when tis Pov fecal the tly way of removing iby force eons then usally icing apiece under the protection of thie Paw, and Forcing the exchange of that pes. Tet us now conser the inal postion, The ultimate ekject of every attack in Chess ven beforehand it f te captre by fre ofthe hore King, For that por ove we ist command nine square, the eight ard {Ee King andthe one he evupls; wean reduce tht tmber only by ving the King tothe ge of the tour or By forcing Hs own plocs to cbeivet his tccrpe Finally, the chelgivng pees mast tbe able {capture noe mast any ofthe hot Intreope sin of attack This the work tobe done” tnd iis enomouy, considering the Inge smaunt of force fied with cacy to captre and cbrvct at the Enemy’ spon This task still made more if by fhe other ane which you have to perorm—to. protect ou own King again your opponents srl the Chess world went abou he fsk thos voluntary undertaken, and atemted to salve the problem vee bythe humanly most creck metbod simply tried pling vaiaton on variation, cometing snd re-corecting {Bem fo sy, to thoonand years. Many beautiful games tree payed, and stating dcovrts mage, but the ealst Common Sense in Chess problem was never solved. And why, may we ask, have for so long a time the exertions of the best brains of the Jhuman race continually failed? There is one answer whose cogency is imesistible, an answer whose truth scoms to be proved by experience beyond doubt, vi there # no solution, and for thie reason the resources om each side are so evenly balanced that the trifling advan- tage ofthe fst move is not suficient to force the defense to resignation, This admitted, we must begin, before entering upon our task, with the supposition that the initial position has been differentiated to such an extent that the win of the game becomes possible to the one or other party. After having granted this much the problem is trans- formed, and it assumes the following shape: the balance Of position and forces has at least been partly disturbed, and to checkmate the King of the inferior foree becomes a feasible achievement, Whether a nearly balanced position allows forced win to the one or the other party depends usually on the slightest differences, so much so, indeed, that it woud bea hopeless undertaking to search for certain rules, or ‘a mathematical formula that would give you its solution ‘without the application of intelleetual power in each special case. The question involved és of such a compl cated nature thatthe only way to obtain an answer is to Aivide the board into parts, to analyze the partial ques- tions by the experimental method, and to finally draw the sum total ofall the answers. ‘Now, given a position in Chess where, on the one wing (or instance, the K side), we have the superiority, on another (the Q side or the center) we may be at a dis- advantage, but where, on the whole, our advantage is ‘prevailing, in what manner are we to make capital out The Midate Game 85 of that superiority? The answer depends, of course, on ‘the analysis of the position; but if this analysis is me ‘thodical it will greatly acquire clearness and sharpness, and the mental labor tequired will be reduced to @ min- "The moves in Chess are of three kinds, they are either (a) Developing, i.e, bringing new force into play. (b) Attacking, i. ¢., making picces threaten the hostile ‘men, give a check, threaten a checkmate, ete in ‘other words, making pieces do something, or work. (o) Serving defensive purposes, i.e. giving protection to. weak point, obstructing an important lin, ete.; in other words, undoing the work of the hostile What Kind of move is required is determined by the exigencies ofthe poston, Ifyou have a large superiority Of force in a. quarter where the enemy has important ‘weaknesses, like the King or the Quoen ina bad position, ‘te, you must assail quickly. Every one of your moves ‘must be intended to do much. Your reserve Force must bho made useful fr the attack with as much gui of time 15 possiblo—by attacking, for instance, some weaknesses ‘while on the way—snd the reserve forces of the opponent rust be kept back, if possible, by ebstructions that you ‘can place in their way (think of Morphy’s awn sacrifices for that purpose). The deviees are manifold, but the var- Jations, on account ofthe many foreed moves on the part ofthe defense, ae usualy fess, and therefore subject to Airect analysis, OF such atacks we say Dat thei “pa fs quick. Ail the games given (espocally the French Defense fn Chapter 1) have contained attacks of quick pace. Here follows another,86 Common Sense in Chere ‘The game (International Tournament, Amsterdam, 1889) went on ALK R5 kexkr 2.BxPcht KxB 3. axktch Kok 4.BxP Ht KxB B.Q-Kileh KR 6.R-83 Poka 7.R-RBch @-R3 B.RxQeh Kar 9.a-a7 8-Kaa 10.0%8 KK ILR-KBt aR - Ke 12.0-07 kr-al 13.Q-Kisch K-81 Id. PxP BK 15. P-K6 R-KO T6.2-KIS Pas Te. RxPch BxR 1S.QxBch K-KI 19.-R8 ch Keke 20.0-K17 ch and wins, The Middle Game 7 When your superiority i not clearly defined, you mst bess wth tacking mate pce aba ing on our strong pnts and methodically eeting new ones neat your opponents ine of defense, Then the pon i everything, andthe tine a ater of secondary impor tance Generally the pce” of your attack mit slacken dwn theless pounced your advantage Is. A very good player vl slo give you opportines for Solent and short stacks, which req a0 amount of tetng force that i often underrated Morphy games ae fnstecive on these pots: sHor's CAM (iNew York, 1857) Sehulten Morphy LP-Kt PKs 2 p-KBs Px? 33-4 Pas 4PxP 3-03 5.1083 Kr K83 6P-a4 Coles 7. Kt K2 Past 8 ne Fi “a si OM88 Common Sense in Chess ‘The White King stands in an obstructed file, so Morphy sacrifices his Pawn to prevent the King from castling with safety. It will be remarked that after the sacrifice the de- fensive power of the White KK and KB Paven becomes very weak, both of these Pawns being isolated. S.PxP Kr-Ré 9. P-KRA? It would have been better to defend by a developing ‘move, such as (9) B-K3, when the following play might ensue: (9)... , R-K; (10) Q-Q2, Q-KQ (11) Kt-K4, B-KB4 (12) B-Q8. a... RK 10 ska Occupying one of White's strong points. It can only be attacked by the KBP or QB, and is therefore an excellent obstruction. 1... B-KI6ch Uk-@2 a3 12. K-83? Here he unnecessarily exposes himself to new dan- gers, P-B3 would have provided a safe retreat to the King, Be. P-aki4t Quickly opening up all the lines on the side which the ‘White King has chosen as refuge. 13.8xP P-ass! Now he threatens Q-R4 ch,, so he indirectly forces ‘White to remove the well-posted Kt from K4, The Midale Game 89 1 Kee. 15. 8-R4 16, R-K1 17. P-Ka 15.0xP Every one of Black's pieces has now long open files, n consequence of the energetic attacking manoouvres the last six moves. eck: MORPHY 19,K-@2 Black threatened to win a piece by... Ktor QxP. K-K#2 would have lost immediately on account of (19) BxKt; (20) RxB, RxR; (21) QxR,Kt-R5 ch, ‘ther winning the Queen or checkmating the King on the next move. DB... RxB! 20.PxR Bake BLRRB axPch 22 K-KY @-K8 ch 23. K-G2 Raich90 Common Sense in Chess 24, K-89 Q-84ch 25, K-Ki2 KI-R5 ch White resigns, for if (26) Px Kt, Q-Kt5 mate; if (26) K-KUL, Kt-B6 ch, winning frst the Queen and then the Rook. His famous game against Paulsen in the New York ‘Tournament runs as follows: FOUR KNIGHTS’ GAME (New York, 1857) Paulsen Morphy 1.P-k4 Poa 2. K-83 Ki-@89 S.Kr-89 Ke-8 48-45 B-B4 5. Castles Costes G.krxP R-KI T.ktxkt ‘This eapture only develops Black, It would have been quite as good to retie with the Kt to B3 and to follow this up, if (7)... KtxP hy (8) P-Qd. 7 GP xkt Sae P-Okis 9.8K The Black Pawns by thus advancing da not, of course, ‘ain in defensive strength, but Black i 50 far ahead in evelopment that White will never be able to take ad- vantage of that weakness. 9. Kixe IO. Kexkt Rxkt The Middle Game om 11.8-80 ee here (11) P-QBS, which looks stronger at fist sight unk i a he ed Hig hr he ents the only support ofthe KR and KKt Pawn, The Vim might proceed (11) -- =» Q-B5; (12) P-KKB, ete (13) B-BS, R-KRS, (14) PxB, B-Q3; oF (12) Blo# B03, (3) P-KK, Q-RE (11). P-KBS, B-Q2; (15) B-BS, R-K2; when Black will double his Fook onthe K file and obtain a sound poston with many attacking possibilities Eee Rex 12,9289? -Asomewhat elaborate proces for so simple n object se P-Q3 was the proper ly 12. @-a61 “This is one of the rae eases in which a heavy pice ike the Quoen ean be used with success for the purpose of obstruction, The Queen cannot be attacked in her present situation by any hostile pce, but exerts a con- Morale amount of presse, preventing, for instance, Such moves as Q-1B2 oF B-K292 Common Sense in Chess 13.P-aK4 B-ka 14. PRA Px? 15. Qx? 8-02 16.R-¥2 ‘This move may serve asa preparation for Q-B2, White evidently is beginning to feel the restraint which he suf. fers through the blockade of his QP by the adverse Queen. His pln, however, i frustrated by Black, whose attack has aleady become ripe for a deisve blow. If (26) Q-R6 instead, Black's best reply sees to be (16) «« Q-BA; (17) PQS, QR-KI;, (18) B-K3, P-B (19) KeP xP, BxP; (30) Q-R5?, R-KKIS, with a winning advantage, for if (21) K-RL, QxB, (23) PxQ B-BS, eaves White helpless; therefore White's best would be (20) Q-K2, B-KtB; (21) BeKt Rx, (22) BxQ,RxQ, (33) Bx B, with an even ending 1... on-k1 The strongest move for development and simulta: scons for tack. Black hreatns ow Qa rch, 17.0-%5 Wha PAULSEN The Midilte Game 93 mm. oxen 1d beautiful coup. An effcetive, surprising, 18.PxQ RK 19.K-R1 BRS Black threatens .. . B-K(7 ch, followed by . . . BxP imate, R-K¢1 is no safeguard, as after the exchange of the Rooks the QR will checkmate him. Nor would (20) QQ mend matters, as Black will answer with P-KB4, ‘and if then (21) Q-B4 ch, K-Bl. 20,8-@1 BLK 22. KB He might have decided the issue by R-Ke7, with the double threat RxP ch, ete, and Rx HP. 23. KKH BR ch ERR BxP 25.@-B1 His only resource. Be Bx@ 26.RxB ROK? Again binding the hostile QP to his post. RR RRS 38. P-ad Atlast! BB B-K6 White resign, fr if (29) Bx B, R(RS) xP chs (90) K-KeL, R(K7) “KE mate,10. The Middle Game (concuvvep) We vnw now to games ofthe post Morphy era RUY Lopez (Match, 1866) Anderssen Stetnite 1.P-ks P-kd KI KS K-83 S.B-K5 Kis 4P-a3 P-a3 S.BxKtch “his exchange is decidedly uncalled for, Black gains Sherbanee fa el ste tw Bs White as no compensation whatever for to speak ihe early stage ofa gue of the weakness ef adele Pa oe Solted Bo for ed ane purposes nothing at 5 axa a Black already has the advan 36 advantage, and can therefore Mord to lowe» ove for development, wih wi ‘on support his plan of attack. eee oe Zon-83 ora S.cories Cases, ova ‘The Midille Game (Concluded) 95 ‘An excellent move, Black’s plan, as will be seen, is to make the fighting on the K side with his Pawns; he there for Keeps the White QP back, to preserve the obstruc: tions inthe center. Wits: ANDERSEN ILR-KHL Te would have been much more to the interest of White to forestall the imminent attack, for instance, by (11) Q-Q2, K-R% (12) P-KKts, Kt-Ktl; (13) Kt-R2, P-B4; (14) P-B3, Ih. Krk 12.P-ak PxP 1B.RxP P-aBe 4. R-RA 8-a2 15.R-RS Pad “The White KP, which intercepts the QB's diagonal from (QBS. blocks the KP and holds back the QP, dare not be removed. Its, therefore, an excellent object of attack,96 Common Sense in Chess 16.0-Kx1 K-RI T.a-K7 P-aRa IS.R-KH PRS 190-95 ear White's game suffers for want of design. ‘There is no possible objectin allthis maneuvering of the heavy pieces. His policy should have been one of defense, which he ‘ight conduct with Kt-R2 and P-B8, perhaps success: fully. 20. KIS RoR? In order to have his Queen free for the following threat, (21) . . . P-KBS; (22) B-Q2, BxP; (23) PxB, QxP; (24) Kt-R2, P-16, ete. 31. KR Peas: 22.8-a2 Poke 23.0.1 @-al ARKH Kees 35. K-KHT KR ‘The RP will advance and then the KEP, to be followed by . .. Kt-Kts, where the Kt will have in conjunction ‘with his advanced Pawns a commanding sway. Mark how carefully allthis is prepared. No strong point is left to the White party in the rear of the Black Pawns, nor in front of them, during the whole of the tedious process. 26.K-B1 27. Ke- KN 28. PxP 29.P-33 90. K1-@1 3L.8-K1 ‘The Middle Game (Concluded) 7 White: ANDERSEN Here we have the boa ie ofthe concluding tages of a King side attack supported by a chain of Pavens. PXxP, all the lines are opened by . . . P-B6 with tre- ‘mendous effect. White cannot much improve his position, as his pieces have no space to execute any movements. So Black has any amount of time to prepare the finishing stroke. 92,P-04 PxBP 38. KP xP Y-R6 94. 8-82 Keke 35, PxBP Of course if (85) Bx Kt, B-RO ch wins. 3%. @-R6 ch 36.K-KI or (96) Kx Kt, B-KBS the White King being quite help. less, 96. krxPch S7.RRKE axk and Black won easily afew moves later.Do not overlook how the apparently unimportant sixth ‘move on the part of White was the real reason of all the 9 Common Sone in Chews | Moab he ao undergo ler | | SCOTCH GAME (Match, 1885) Steinitz 1.P-Ka P-ka 2K x83 K1-@83 3.p-a4 PxP Ake? kr-89 According to our rules this should be the strongest | Zakertort reply. Ie certainly is a move that answers all purposes. 5.K1- 83 B.S Okeke KiPxkt 78-03 P-ad SpxP PxP 9. Coales Castes | 10. BKK Pa IL KS-K2 33 12. KK ‘The Kt occupies a square which White would do better to reserve for the Bishop. (12) Kt-Q4 seems therefore preferable. 12... PKR 13.8-a2 After the development of the Knight to Kt, this retreat is inevitable. oe, a aa 2B... Kreis Excelent! Black now threatens Q- RS. If White replies by (14) P-KRS, then KEXP; (14) Kx Kt, Q-R5; (15) Q-BS,P-KB4 winning 4.B-K2 a-ks IS.BxK Bx 16.0-B1 BK What he purposes with this is not very clear. He ought, to strike hard while White is yet behind in the develop- rent of his Rooks, thus: (16). . . P-KB4; (17) B-B4, B-B4; (18) R-Kl, P-KKt4; (19) B-K3, BxB; (20) PxB, P-B5, with an excellent attack; or even (16) « B-QB will give him a lasting attack, difficult to meet TTR-KI Bora 18.8-83 PKB TORE aR-a 30.0-02 Now he threatens Q-Q4, or the doubling of the Rooks ‘on the open file; but mark how finely Black frustrates all this.100 Common Sense in Chess %, Pas 21.685 Of course he cannot take the Pawn without losing a piece ah. a2 22. RxD RR 28.8.4 @-83 24R-@1 Rat BxR axe 26K o-K 27. Ks Reka ck i fist to take the open flea grat advantage which White shou not have ilded at nove 28 Dip Poo Boras ‘This maneuver with the RP, which is to make the posi tion of the Kt unassailable, is misplaced. The RP exposes itself only tothe attack ofthe Bishop. .... R-KS 9. P-a83 ‘The Middle Game (Concluded) 101 ‘This unnecessary advance is the principal reason for the speedy conclusion that follows, Black’s play from now to the end is admirably consistent and strong, @-Kn aks 9-03 P-a6 If (94) KtxP, Bx Kt, (35) QxB, R-KB ch wins the ook oF Queen. H.. P85 95. RKO KR 96.K-R2 @-aKs First rate; he now threatens R-K7. 37. KKH 98. R-K @-a83 0, P-83 Q-B4eh 0.0-82 ReKB ch ALK-RO or (41) K-Kw, R-KG. aL. axach BRO Ber Decisive. The QP must now win, 43, PERKY B-KT ‘and Black won a fow moves later. Tf we glance critically over the games given, we find ‘two rules confirmed: (1) Don't attack unless you have some tangible superiority ether inthe stronger working of your pieces, or in longer reach.102 Common Sense in Chess Corollary: If you do, the reaction will place your army in a critical position, and the inevitable counter-attack ‘wil ind you in disorder. (II) Let it be the first object of your attack to create strong points as near your opponent's camp as possible, fand occupy them with pieoes which have from there a large field of action Corollary: Try to force your opponent's Pawns to ad- vance on the side where you attack RUY LOPEZ (Dresden, 1892) Dr.Now Dr. Tarrasch 1. PKA Poké Kt KES K1-83 38-5 K-83 4.Coutlos Kx? S.R-KI Kr-@3. 68-84 B-K2 T.KtxP Kexkt S.Rekt Coles Now Black’s development is excellent, and the Pawn position unassailable. 9.p-04 J0.R-K1 1L.P-a83 White has no time for such a move. (11) B-Kt3, Kt-R4; (12) Kt-B3, KtxB; (13) RPx B, B-Q3; (14) (Q-BS, P-QBS: (15) B-B4, is a sounder line of play. We. BBs ‘Tho Middle Game (Concluded) 108 Immediately bearing down on the weak points of White, Q3, QB I2.Kt-@2 Kexkt ia. Bxkt 8-03 19-85 ‘This maneuver has not much point (14) B-B2is more to the purpose u 8-K3 15.0-83 P-aB3 From here to the end Black's play is simply classical. Mark now how Enely Black will combine the advantage resulting from the weak position of the White Queen, the slight weakness contained in the loose and ineffective po- sitions of the White Bishops, his own strongly posted QB, snd the lack of protection of the White QKtP fora highly logieal and successful attack. 1B, R-K2 o-Ks. T78-Ko, P-aRé Capital! Developing the QR, dislodging the obste tion, and keeping the QKEP in its unsafe position. PRS KR-KT PoKBA Grand! He forces White to advance either the KKtP or KBP. In the latter case K5 becomes a very strong point, Jn the former the Q is obstructed, and the P position weakened.108 Common Sense in Chess preventing 09, and again bearing down on the een ‘weak points ofthe White game Sm escent 24.0-83 9-85 25. P-aR3 ReKS 26. PKS Pea ‘To get his reserve fore, the KB, into play. Pac TARRASCH Whine NOw BT. RER 28.Q-K3. 29.0x0 Armistake, (37) BxB, RB; (98) R-QU is by far the preferable policy beac abetcteate Te. Bxa, The Midale Game (Concluded) 108 Energetic and decisive, but not very difficult to foresee, 38.BxR 30.P xB and White resigns, for after (40) K-B2, P-QT; (41) K-K2, B-BS ch he will lose his Rook. QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED (Match, 1592) Lasker Blackburne 1.P-@4 P-a4 KKB = KBS S.P-B4 PKS 4.K4-B3 @kr-a2 5.B-B4 PBS (On acoount of the last mave which is more oF less forced (not to allow Kt-QKt5) the development chosen by Black isnot advisable 6.°-K3 Kr Re 7.B-KiS B-K2 Sexe ax8 98-03 PKR 10.0-K2 Costes UL.Castes KR P-KBA Attacks on the K side in this opening have usually little hope of success. An inspection of the postion will show that the K side does not present weaknesses that could be assailed. The fight i, therefore, inthe center and on the Qride106 Common Sense in Chess I2.KR-Q1 kt 18. QR-81 14. Kt-xS 15.Q-82 Black has, with his 11th move, stepped the advance of the White KP. The White Qis therefore now available for the Qs wing, 45... R-a1 16. PR Kea? TeKs-89 Keke I8.R-KY White intends a Q side attack; and, therefore, fist ‘makes preparations to take advantage of any forward. ‘movement that Black might undertake on the K side, be: ‘ginning with P-B5. och BLACKBURNE Wate LASKER KiB. KI-KS: 0. KS Keke 2Laxkt KreRt ‘The Middle Game (Concluded) 107 22.P-RA 4-83 28, PRIS Kia, 2 Kt BD Px BP White threatened now P-B5, followed by P-R5 and -R, to establish a dangerous passed Pawn at BS, 25.0xP kK 28.0-K PxP 27. PxP 8-82 28. KE KS RB 29.R-RI ‘The object of White's attack was to keep the QRP back, which ie now indefensible, 2... RoR 90.8 2K2 KR-BI ‘SIL KR-R2 92. P-Ks3 83.0%0 SREP 5. RAR ‘Theattack has now succeeded. White has the advantage of a Pawn plus on the K side. What remains isto convert this into positional superiority—not an easy process, as stil there aze hardly any assalable points in the Black camp. KI108 Common Sense in Chess 23.P-RE R82 44, ROK Reet 45.K-Ka KK 18.795 ‘The decisive maneuver. Ifthe Pis taken, the two isolated Bis wll bea splendid object of attack, well worth the Bo, LRP RP AB. RARY Here, after some maneuvers to complete the third hour (we played eighteen moves an hour), the game ‘went on at move 55, the position being unchanged, 55. Pek PxKir 56.PxP RR 57. PRIS ‘Threatening Kt-Ket-B6 ete 57, Reb 58.02 ReR7ch. 59. K-KS R-R6 60. K-84 Ki-a2 618-84 KiB 62. R-aB1 ‘The fig ls. The Rook wll ow enter ie foto the Black camp. ebeaeee RRs BxP 64. R85 and White won easily, 11, Defensive Play Ly an attack is the process though which obstroc: tions ae brought out of the way, the defense ts the at of rental then, of ving Brmaness to your poston, fd of averting te low dred against you. When Your penton isnt infer to that of your opponent and he Tevertelse makes preparations atack you, dressed thom altogether develop eserv forces, avoid his attack bythe slightest defensive movement ponble (ike 2 fntsate boxe, who in the ck of tne and wit an al tmost inporeepuble movement evades the Blow), and Instinte @ quick counteraction. When, however, you have been unfortunate enough to compromise yousel, 0 five your epponent a undeniable reason for and. an- Eile object of attack (which may occur to the best and host cautious player asthe raul of sn unsuccessful at- tack, you have tot wry diferent. ‘As ere common sense tel ut exatly how to pro- ceed. Every psition yl comprite points which are posed tote etion ofthe host ores and ater points ‘hic are well guarded, An atak wil dltect Ralf in the fit istane against your weakest point—for i stance, nga the KIP tnd KK? after Casting, or guns «KU at BS, et. You wil, therefor, Best of al, acute these points if they ate cceupied by men of feat importance, the Queen Rook, for fastance, and So frequently a Knight and a Bishops sewndly, you Soll have to give them support, place She support in Dots which ae not eu aces by the enemy. The Ket of your anny is bet employed fa engaging the 10no Common Sense in Chess serve force of the enemy—that is, such foree which it will take him time and labor to utilize for the purposes of his attack. The object of your opponent's attack is, generally speaking, to change the position of your men in a certain quarter by force. Abstain from changing it voluntarily, except for most forcible reasons. This is where most Chess players fail. In order, for instance, to avoid the approach of a Kt or Bishop to KU5, they advance the RP to 13, losing a move, and besides, as a general rule, impairing the strength for purposes of defense of the chain of Pawns on the wing: or they advance the KKt Pawn to Kt3, o drive a Kt away posted at KB4, which, however ‘well placed, is usually not half as dangerous as this move; or they retire a piece, because it may be driven away. Wait with all such moves until your antagonist has ex- pended some time, material position, ete—vwel, call it, taken altogether, some of the “power” at his disposal—on them. For the ret your defensive movements must, of course, be subservient to the objects of the enemy’s attack, You may, therefore, invert the rules for attack; let it be your ‘object to prevent your opponent from creating strong points very near your line of defense. That comprises everything, as we shall see in the following instances SCOTCH GAME Poa Kr-@83 PxP KB KiP xkt P-a4 Defensive Play um Black has followed up to this point the rules of de- velopment. He has given to White no object of attack, none of his pieces being in a weak position. White's at- tacking manewver Is, therefore, prematur Now follows a clover stroke, which shows how unsound all White's play has boon. Bo. KixKP 10.8-1 a-83 11.Q-K2 Castes Waxk axPeh 13.K-R) BRP 14.P x8 Q-Béch IB.K-R2 8-03 and Black wins.2 Common Sense in Chess MAX LANGE ATTACK 1.PoKé Pod 2. t-KS 083 3.P-a6 PxP 40-84 8 5. Coates 3 (5) . . . .P-Q8 would be more in conformity with our rules. Te txt move is slightly inferior and wes White the opportunity toa voles slag which, however in the face of Blacks splendid development, fas agatat the best line of defense, sam aria PKS P-a4 The right reply. To remove the Kt would be vastly ine ferior for instance, (6) « . ,Kt-K5;(7) B=Q5 would disorganize Black's game; and if (6) «. . Kt-Kt5; (7) BaP ch, KxB; (8) Kt-K6 ch, might fallow, Teak PxB SR Kich B-K3 SLKI-KIS a-as Not Q-Q2, as (10) KtxB, PxKt; (11) Q=R5 ch, wouldaliow Wteto gama the kB. 1) & 10. K-89 a6 PKK ake Black must not take the KBP, as White would answer with (12) Kt-Q5, Q-Ql; (18) RxB ch, Px; (14) KtxP. Now Black threatens to Castle Q side with a mage nificent game, as White through his attacking maneuvers has vastly impaired the solidity of his position. Defensive Play us 12.0k-k4 8-3 13. P-B4 Covies aR 147-85 BxP 15.PxB axrie4) At last White has recouped himself in material, but at what an expense! He is three Pavwns behind, his King is in a totally unsafe position, his enemy is brilliantly de- veloped, and the QP and QBP, far advanced and well protected, are ready for decisive action whenever the slightest opportunity is offered, All this for a Note that if White now continues (16) Ktx BP, Black Q-KtBeh, 16. PxP kR-KI TKK P-Q6ch 18.B-Ko BxBeh T.RKB 84 or. . .QxKt winning, Similar conclusions follow in any variations that White may choose after move 15. There- fore let us go back to that position, and vary the attack. 13. k1xBP A bold sacrifice, to maintain the attack. If... Kor Q takes Kt, Kt-Kt5 will regain the piece, with an excellent position, If... BxKt, White must be satisfied with riving the King into a somewhat exposed position by (14) Px P, QxP; (15) Kt-B6 eh, K-Qs (16) Q-BS, with good attacking possibilities against the exposed King. lack, however, has just as bold a reply, which utterly turns the tables and gives him the attack against the ‘weakened K side of White.us Common Sense in Cheve Be .. Cowles KR Now, at once, all of the White pisces become badl e badly placed, and must speedily return to their camp. The tide furs and the reaction set in, » 14. Kx 3-a4 5. PxP kR-KT 16. KI-KS 3 TT -¥3 KI Ka and Black should win; or, perhaps more effectively, Thee. RxRch 18.0xR RK 19.4-a1 Kika 20. K-84 2-083 witha beilliant attack, LP-K4 P-K4 2. K-83 K-89 S.P-83 Defensive Play us ‘The Ponsian’ Opening, I cannot recommend it on ac- count of the questionable early advance of the QB Pawn. 3. P-a4 ‘An excellent answer. By his third move White has weakened the square Q5; 0 Black tres to open the Q fle, toget possession of that very important point. 4.0-R4 PxP S.KtaP, a-as 6.8-K15 Kk 7.7 KB ‘This is the move given by Staunton, It is intended to keep up the attack, which by the exchange of the minor pieces would be utterly lost: White threatens now B- BA, fnd Staunton lets Black, therefore, reply by PxP ep. A fine Liverpool player, looking at the position with the in- stinct of a true Chess player, thought that there must be, sinst such precipitate attack as White has undertaken, ‘better reply. And this is how he proved his point: Tae 8-2 BKB Kk 9. Costes Kr Bt6 Common Sense in Chess Black has by far the better development, and now threatens B-Bd ch, P-ard PxPil Px B-B4n KI-Ki6 ch @-Ré mate FRENCH DEFENSE (Bradjord, 1858) Blackburne Burn 1B ks PKS 2-06 P-a4 S.k1-83 K-83 4P-KS KKt-@2 5.P-84 P-aB4 BxP Castles Poe Kr-083 RK Black i evidentl preperng his K side fo along sige, His lst ave anewers htpurpoe exellent The Res vacates the square KB forthe Kt, which there qute Secure, and gies i support tothe weakest pa the KAP, besides to KS and 9, snd aay ead toby Stu the KKt se TL ne ras (ne of thot harmless looking moves, to prevent some- PeKKS Defensive Play u7 thing that really is no threat at all. These superfluous de- fensive moves spoil many a game. Why not at once (Q-Kt5, and then a vigorous advance of the KRPP P-aR3 15. Costes aR 16. KR=KN ch A bold and promising sacrifice, which yields @ violent attack very dificult to moet. 16... BxR TE RxBch Krk IS.Ks-K2 RoR? Again an excellent defensive maneuver. The Rook pro- tects several of the weakest points, and ean be used as @ means of obstructing the open KK Ble 19, KEK KR-K2 30. Ke RS K-RI BI. KBs RoKKI2 22. 0-R6 kr-81 2B. KES ‘Wire: BUAGKBURNEus. Common Sense in Chess Black is practically out of danger, but must yet play ‘very carefully, White intends now to contiwve with (24) QxR ch! RxQ; (25) Kt-BY ch, Rx Kt; (26) R-KS ‘mate, 2. RK 240-85 R-KK2 25.R-KD a-K2? A careless move, allowing (26) Kt(5) x RP!, Rx Kt; (27) RxR and wins, Luckily, White also overlooks this possibility, 26.8-K27 Rx x83) Vigorous and decisive. 27.PxR oxer 28. 8-083, a2 29.K1- 89 K-Kn White threatened Rx Kt, followed by B-B3, 90.0-Ra Kt-Ks 5. -R6 aK 52. ReKt BR A last attempt to neutralize Black’s material superiority by attack. 33, R82 BE Kt Ki5 Kixe 55. Kak KtxB ch 38.K-02 KixB and Black won after afew more moves, Defensive Play us ‘The annexed position occurred inv my first match with Steinitas White to move. I played somewhat hastily LR-B1 being under the impression that Ktx R would lead to a draw by perpetual check. This is, however (as, I believe, first pointed out by Tehigorin), not the ease, e.g, (1) KtxR, Q-Kt8 ch; (2) K-Q2 QxP ch; (3) K-Ql, Q-Kt6 ch; (4) K-K2, Q-B5 ch; (5) K-K1!, QxP ch; (6) B-Q2, QRS chy (7) K-K2, and White should win casily 1 ow 28-02 ReKD BRI-KS axPch Here White must be extremely careful in selecting reply. If he plays the plausible (4) K-Ql, Q-Kt8 ch ( B-BL, Kt-Q6, (6) QxQP, KtxP ch; (7) K-K2 (Q-KS ch; (8) B-K3, QxxB ch |, equalizing the material forces, and with good chances for a draw. 4.0-K3 axkKe120 Common Sense in Chess Now follows a very important maneuver, the key to Whites defense, SRK 1f (5) Q-K2 instoad, Black will answer by. . .Q-Q4, and have al the Q side at his own disposal. Beat To take the RP would not be sufficient to keep the Dalance of forces; White would reply with K-QL or P-Kt5, and very soon be able to assume the attack. 6.0-K2 ORS ‘The first symptom of the gradual exhaustion of Black’s attack. The Q would be better posted somewhere on the Q side; but... . Q-Q4 is not playable, as P-B4 would. aK snow force the exchange of Queens. 7.K-@1 R-aRr S.R-B2 RoR Black's pieces are well placed, but they do not threaten ‘anything. 9.P-K¢5 Pos 1O.KexP P-as ILK-81 ‘White threatens to drive the Rook away, in order to ‘bring matters speedily to a climax, Les. a-as (12)... P-BS would be answered by (12) Px P, (11) Kt-Q6 ch by K-KtI; and the resulting exchanges leave White always in the possession of his advantage. Defensive Play wi 12.0xQ Kix@ch TB.K-KM RK ch Uk RP 15.R-83 ‘and White won the ending. ‘This diagram shows the state of the game No. 18, at move 33, White to play, of my first match with Stenit L recommend a careful study of this postion, in which ‘White can keep the balance only by a very ingenious de- fensive maneuver. The question concems only the next move of White, Black threatens (1) . . . ,.Kex Pehs (2) KexKe, Bx Kt, (3) QxB, Q-KS ch, winning. How is White to save his game? If (1) R-B2 RXR (2) BxR, Q-QBS; (8) K-KE, KexP; (4) KtxKt, Kt-K4, will reguin the piece and keep the Pavin pls. If (1) R-K3, R-BS; (2) B-B2, Q-Q4; (3) Kt-K3, QeBP, or else (3) N-Q2, KtxP ch; (4) Ktx Kt, Qx Kt (5) Qe Q, BxQ (6) Rxkt, RB, should win. (1)122 Common Sent in Chen E-KS maybe anor by (1) 1 UBS, (2) B-QL KP an () MOTEL Raich (O Bee ® Oooe Se aig» Po aed a ta Se $Siton WE) K-Xta, KUxD, (2) Kea Kt (0) Rs eB, (4) N-QS chy KRW, (8) QUAM. QBS, wl Jedd an tess tack 1 a ec gist “the move sty nae, te ly dc ave the ame (uti cn ns uw) war (1) obi apa Sitch Sie moat ply very cntouly not bo atc dr sho yak lhe sometie! to ok ery dep no the poston oS gd mv oth fons, But this Mr ble. promi ou tif ofl the rules iid down you will not search in val If you wil sou oo mater ow dosh tak 12. The End Game Wares both parties through the struggles of the ‘middle game have held their own, when by the exertions tindergone in attack and defense the material forees on both sides have become decimated, and direct attacks on. the King have consequently lost any chance of success, the game enters upon a new stage, differing in many points from those preceding it OF this par of the game, Called the end game, it ita characteristic that the King— hitherto the director indirect object of attack on the part ‘of your opponent—over whose safety you anxiously ‘watched, and whose power was limited to the protection ofa Few Pawns necded for his own security, now becomes f powerful weapon of offense and aggression in. your hands. ‘When the game enters this last stage, the general rules for attack and defense are not changed in any particular. Weaknesses will be represented principally by Pawns, which are blocked, or cannot advance for some other reason, and which, besides, cannot be defended by other Pawns, Here again the attack will direct itself against the weaknesses. Our weak points will be such as are open to the enemy's men or King, and not commanded by any of our own men nor by out King: our opponent's chief at- tack will be directed toward those strong points, and wll attempt to create new ones as near the hostile weak nesses as it has the power to do. Here also the attacking ‘needs, for suocess, a superiority of some kind. But, fn combination with allthis, two new factors enter into the end game which give itits peculiar character.as Comanon Sense in Chess ‘The first is based on the greater facility acquired (in consequence of the exhaustion of the material forees) to lead your passed Pawns to Queen, For that purpose there are riever more than five separate moves tequired, and often less. Ifthe line where the Pawn advances consists entirely of strong points, the enemy will be obliged to en {age one of his men, perhaps his King, whose function it will be to command one ofthese points orto obstruct that line. Points and lines through which the hostile men prevent the advance of the passed Pawn may be called points of vantage in regard to it. The game will very often ‘then present a fight for the command of these points or lines of advance, which may be intercepted by our men, fr from which the hostile forces may be driven back, On the other hand, being quite satised with the result that ppart of the hostile army is engaged in watching oar passed Pawn, we may undertake an attack with all our forces in some other quarter. ‘When attack and defense in the very last stages of the {game are so evenly balanced, and oth our own men and those of our opponent are so favorably placed, that, = less the adversary voluntaily gives way, neither party eam improve his positon; when, in other words, the move ceases to be a privilege, “time” (the right to move, that is, todo something useful), will assume a new and very dif. ferent character. In such positions as are very frequent in well contested games, and the occurrence of which can often with certainty be forecalculated, to have to move means often a loss in the working power of your pieces, and it may consequently lose you the game. We shall speak of this as the principle of exhaustion (that is, exe hhaustion of moves to improve your positon). This prins ciple will manifest itself in the great care with which the ‘two combatants hold back certain moves, which either The End Game 15 affect would improve their postion, or a last not army ont faverable oppor has arived for toecting the, pine of exhuston maybe illusbatd by the Giagrams. to, maneoveing onthe KR of KKE fe, has 0 ce, Tae ey ere wt sulle apace Fa ter (I) RS KR (2) Me eet Fo ee se es ey tects we aoe enn the bart he Hse King a a es weak, and vl PERE Yasha g spots The st pose se aie Rings eta ol be KS. Whenever soca King ae ay oma ae et ee delice te falling ie Play: LKR KR 2K-Ke Kes 3K-KE K-83126 Common Sense in Chess ‘The first manifestation of the principle, 4.K-B2 Kora BK-K2 Not (5) K-K3,as (5) . . . K-Kt5 would win a Pawn, K-Rs KK K-R6 kxP White has two chances of winning, the one based on his passed Paven, the other on the weakness of the Black RP. The Black K oceupies at present a position of ad- ‘vantage in reyard to both. This is changed by the follow- ing manewver: 1.K-@5 KBr IE (1) .. .K-Ql; (2) K-Q6, K-BI; (8) P-BT and wins. The End Game wr 2.K-Be K-a1 S.K-O4 K-81 4.K-05 K-82 5.K-85 [Now the move is changed, and White wins easly; of, 4 k-a1 5.K-06 KB 6.P-87 K-KR 7.K-a7 and mates in afew more moves. ‘An ending by Locock: ‘White has two dangerous attacks; the one against the weak Black KKIP, the K threatening it from KB4; the ob- ject of the other is to advance his P-KS, supported by the K at Q4. Therefore, when the White King will be at K3, the Black K must be able to occupy in that moment KKt; and when the White King will stand on Q4, the Black King must prevent the threatened advance by marching,198 Common Sense in Chess to KBS, If then the White King is at Q8, ready to go in ‘one move to citer of these squares, the hastile King must stand on Kt3. Thus, the different squares on each side cor- respond to each other. This mode of reasoning followed ‘up, we shall come to the conclusion that White with the move draws, Black with the mave loses, For example, f Black moves Bs, K-R KKM K-R2 Kora K-Rs Koki KK. Kok K-33 KK PxPch K-82 12. K-85 winning ‘Now let White have the move. BARBERS : ; The End Gome 129 Another dificult position: ‘This position depends also on the principle of ex- hhaustion, Black's points of advantage, from where he ats tacks the White Pawn, are threc—K7, KO, KBS. The most forward and, therefore, best of these is K7. Whenever the Black King is there, the White King must be ready to ‘occupy KKt2; and whenever the Black King marches to 6, the White King must take the point KK(3, The game will run therefore— LK-RL K-a7 2K-R K-a6 S.K-RS K-as 4. KK KK SKK KK 6k-KI2 K-c3 7.K-RI (or R3) and draws ‘An attempt to force one of the passed Pawns will fail. LK-RL PKS 2.K-Ki2,and draws180 Common Sense in Chese Black with the move will win K-x8 KK Ka K-87 K-KW7 winning ‘The following positions are illustrative of the power White wins by a clever stroke, in which all the powers of the Pawn at Kt7 are made use of LR-BBcht RAR 2QxPch Kx@ 8. Px RK) eh and wins ‘The above is more of a mid game combination than an ‘end game type; but even backed by very litle foree, a passed Pawn can be very dangerous. 1st 1 tod 4-86 and wins, as Black has to move; if (8) . . .. B-R5 (Kt4); (4) Kt-B6 ch would obstruct the Bishop's ine and there- fore win.182 Common Sense in Chess The difference in the position of the Kings decides the struggle. RK ch Ro KR IE... K-Kts, (4)... K-Kt8 would speedily win, 4K-K8 RK eh 5.K-R R. 6.R-B5ch K-RS The End Game 133. 7K-K7 R-KI7 ch SK-R6 R37 9.R-B4ch K-R6 10. K-Ki6 RK ch TLK-RS Re TL R-Bach K-R7 13. RxP and wins by Queen against Rook. White wins RK ch RK IF P Queens instead, . . . RBS ch, sacrificing itself, ‘would force the stalemate. ae R-aRS 4R-aR8 KK ‘An excellent move. White threatened P-R6-R7, and ‘then a check with his Rook. If now (5) P-R6, K-B6,vt Common Sense in Chess threatening mate, wil force the draw, for instance, (8) K-K1, K-K6, (7) K-QI, K-Q6; (8) K-BI, K-B6; (9) K-Kti, B-KU ch, and 80 on SKK? 6P-R6 not K-K8, as (7) P-RT, K-Q2; (8) R-KRS would gain the Rook 7.K-@3 ‘The decisive manewver. The King comes now to the support of the Pavsn, in order to berate the Rook, while Black can do nothing to change the position to his ad- vantage. The square QR7 is left fee for the King, to allow him a: place of safety against the checks of the Black Rook. ‘Without this place of refuge the game would never be won, Now it is very simple matter, u k-Ka 15. R-K8 RRs 16, RRS K-82 7. K-K7 winning easily. The End Gane 185, piack Here White wins by his superior K position and be- ‘cause his Pawns are further advanced than those of Black. LKB Its necessary to time the winning maneuver correctly. ‘Therefore we must not at once march to Ke. K-B PBs KK ‘The right moment for the advance. Now all Black's movements are forced. eee K-a2 5.K-Be K-KI 6.kxP P-a6 7.K-06 P-a7 SK-KS P-@8(a) 9.P-B7 mate136 Common Sense in Chess piack LPS BRS ‘The White QHP has only t pass one more black square, and that within two moves; therefore the Bishop must Iburry to stop it. 2POKSchE BXP. Now the Bishop is obstructed by his own King (if (2) +e KxP; (3) P-RG wins). BK Ke BRS 4.K-83 and the Pawn will Queen. ‘When the end gaime stage is nearing, the power of the various pieces is altered to a marked degree. Different issues being at stake, different measures must be adopted, ‘and ideas, correct in the early part of the game, become sensibly modified. The value of each pioee varies, of course, with each end game position in a greater or lesser degree; but the men have a certain average value, which will serve as guide. This value will be determined— The End Game 137 (o) By their Sighting capacity against the adverse Kingas an aggresive piece, (0) and against passed. Pawns, (c) and dally their reach or power of offense, when obstructions (ass usual ia end games) are few, Let us frst consider the King. Being placed in op- postion to the adverse King, he will tke three squares from him, and ean thus hinder bim from advancing. le can, singlehanded, stop three united passed Pawns, not advanced beyond the sith row; and 680, one of which is ‘on the seventh row. He ean attack every square on the board, and that, hei ina central point for instance, at i, in no more than three moves. Fis reach is totally uninfiiened by obstructions other than the natural Timits of the board. He is, therefore, « powerful weapon, if well developed in one of the central poiuts or near important points; he enn, however, ever be used as an instrament of obsteuction, never be ex: posed to any direct attack, which sensibly diminishes his OMfensve value gates strong pieces of oense, Wires WARRWITE,138 Common Sense in Chess ‘The annexed position occurred in one of Moxphy’s match games, The game went on: Lees P-aR31 DprA PxP 3. RPP RR} ‘The first advantage, an unopposed open file for the Rook, is now established. 4Kt-@2 R-R6 5. PKs PxP Oke? Kexkt T.xkt R-a8s 58-3 “Threatening now, of course, R-KS ch -QKtS 8 9. RK 10.8-K2 ILR-a6 ‘Through this last move the important point at KB Le comes strong. 12.K-82 K-83 13.R-@2 B87 KK BeKS 15. K-82 Kb ‘The White King is kept back by the Black Rook; the Black King, however, ean advance unchecked. 16,R-¥2 PRS forcing the way for his King, which will soon become a dangerous assailant. The End Game 139 InPxP KxP 18.R-7 ReRRS 1O.RxP Roch 20.K-KT K-K6 (Crushing all resistance, lade STEINITE Tn one of my match games with Mr, Steinitz the above position occurred, White to move. L.kR-a1 Poké IEK-Q2 at once, P-KB4 will give White a good game. 2.8-K3 Ka 38-85 RR 4.kR-a2 KK 5.B-R3 Poi 6.R-a5 RK TKK Now the King actively enters into the fight, Tove PKS140 Common Sense in Chess ‘The initiation of a subtle counterattack which nearly succeeded in turning the tables, BRS It might have been wiser Bist to accept the offered Pawn, thus: (8) PxP, R-K8; (9) K-R5, B-Qls (10) RxP, R-RG chy; (11) K-Kel, Rx P ch; (12) K-Kt3 re- maining a Pawn ahead, ae R-RBch .kxP Poe Or (9)... R-RS; (10) PxP, R-K8; (11) P-RB, RxP; (12) PDE 10.8-@1 RR TLRaR PxP 12. PxP Re 13. KK RK Ta kxP RK 15.P-Ra RoR7 16.36 This maneuver makes the Black game untenable, I... BxP TE.RxP ech K-82 18. K-05 8-83 JE (18) . . R-Q7 chy (19) KxP, B-Kt6 ch; (20) P-B4, Rx, (21) Bx R, P-B5; (22) B-BS, P-RG; (23) [B-Ktl and the four passed Pawns win easily against the Bishop, 19,R-Q7 ch KK B0.KKS ‘To check the advance ofthe Black King AF now (20) . . K-Kt; (21) R-KBT, B-Qls (22) The End Game ut R-BS, B-KtS; (23) B-KT ch, K-K0S; (24) R-KIS ch, K-R2; (25) K-BT followed by B-BS would draw the Black King ito a mating net. D... PRS 2LR-a1 PRS 22 RK ch RK” 2B. RxReH Par 24. B-BS And wins after 2 few more moves with his passed Pawns, Another of Morphy’s energetic end game attacks. 1. R-KO RB 2 K-82 Poke BK-Ko Paks 4K-a3 P-Ked 5.885 Px? 6px? ReKs 7K BA ‘The Black forces being all engaged by the combined action of the White Rook, passed Pawn and Bishop, the12 Common Sense in Chess cooperation ofthe King is all that is necessary to decide the day. z Rot Sk Ks Rex 9.K-R6 RB 10.K-K RK ILK-88 8-3 IRR KxR 13.P-Q8{Q)ch_ BQ UA. Kx8 Resigns Examples concerning the power of the King could be readily multiplied, But we leave this fora future occasion, the King as an assailant, or as strong protective power being an essential element, indeed almost an organie part of each approximately even end game. 13. The End Game (coxc.vvep) Assormen piece whose power inreses the more the rd gune sage i apponcing ts the Rook. Tis Bigiting pocy gait the adverse King ls enormous, and craclly what maker ita valuable instrument for attack Swell ke defense. In conjontion with its own King it an checknate the hostile K-drven to the cle of Broad, ad in conbiation with Kt and P and single chriruction it can give checkmate tothe Kom any square of th board (example, Hook st KB, Ke at KAO, D at BS, opponent’ King t KD, ne of his Pawns at KXC). ‘Without any Kind of suppet can give wntld cher tothe adverse King, wl He sume is obliged to approach the Rook, perhaps against the best interests of is gun, or forced to protect himself bebind some Hod of ob: Shuston On ecru of ating quit is alvaye 2 valuable ally wen you want to foes any chetrictons tut ofthe way, for tance, of passed Pav; but Ice Bt for ightng again the, and realy to valuable & piece to be given away for soch a purpose, Hater {Mematives ae open, The best way to stop a adverse passed Pawn it a Rok isto place the Rok behind fs ts reach wl increse the mote the Pawn advances Tecan top and even win (if they are unsupported) two posted Pans, of which one ion the sth, the ater on Ev Bt, rows but two paced Pass on the sith To% vt Queen agate iif united, Used agaist advanced Pawas it, therefore, nt as manageable asthe King or even the Bishop, butt the more dangerous tothe Proms before they ase a tvestesing atude, 8as Common Sense in Chess reach i very great, and cxacly calculated to serve against Pawns in heir strongest osition—that i, when they are abreast. It can attack, if unobetrcted, any square of the board in one move, and will command tbirten a a tine. This enables i to restrict the opposite Xing to a portion of the board. ‘The Bishop is very much less Bt fr assault agunst the ing, o for restricting hs approach, than the Hook. The Bishop can tako avay two squates from the King, and eventually give check and command two squares of the reach of the King. Its eapacity for yielding support to ‘passed Pawns isnot very great, asthe lines which the Pawn advances will usually contain some points where ‘obstructions are totaly safe against the Bishop. Its great value consists in two things: (1) That it ean stop ad- verse Pawns from a long distance and from a number of squares. (2) That a Pawn and a Bishop may protect each other, $0 a8 fo make both of them comparatively safe against the King or superior pieces. Its chess-oard, however, contains only thity-two squares, and whichever influence they may have on the isue of the game, very much determines its share init; so tha ss Snportance ray be exaggerated when you have the superiority of position, or almost anahilated when the eppesite i the “The Knight is, unless circumstances ae very favorable, the weakest picce of all It may take two squares fom the King, or give check, and besides takeaway one square from hin: but the adverse King may approach ft then, and get rid of it if no support is near. Its great power is that he cannot be abstracted, When ebstrictiors abound, and ‘when i can occupy a strong point near the enemy's line, stcan be an invaluable ally Its seach never exeses eight points, situated in aczele, and it may be obliged to take ‘The Bnd Game (Concluded) 145 five moves to cross the hoard from one point to another (for instance, the two diagonally opposite corner points) ‘On an extended field of battle it must, therefore, choose the wing to which he will give is support, or very much, Jose in value, “To refer to the oft mooted question, “Which piece is stronger, the Bishop or the Knight?” itis clear that the value of the Bishop undergoes greater changes than that of the Knight. If experience has shown thet, on an aver- age, during the opening or middle game, the Bishop will, bbe at least as strong as the Knight, this will be the more ‘ruc the more obstructions disappear, that is, in endings with only a few Pawns scattered about the board. In ‘complicated end game positions, where Pawns partly form blocks, the Knight will find its best chance. The value of two Bishops varies, of course, as they domi- nate the whole chess-board, very much less than that of fone; in consequence, two Bishops are, as a rule, ap- preciably stronger than two Knights or a Bishop and a Knight. From a correspondence game:Chess L.kt-kA P-@ki4 2P-ORS 68 ‘Now all the black squares on the Q side are in posses- ion of White; nor can this be changed, asthe Black King is needed on the K side to fight against the White Pawns. 2 8k 3.P-83 K-62 4-82 K-K3 BKK Por 6. PRK k-a4 K-a3 Bek It would have been more advisable to Keep the Bishop In the rear of the advaneing Pawns. As a rule, pieces function most effectively against passed Pawns when placed behind the Pawns. 9.785 8-02 10. K4-Kach KR If (20) . . 4 K-Qd; (11) P-B6 will force the ex- ‘change of Kt. B. and the extra Pawn will easily win. TL K-B4 BK TKS B82 TS. PoRRA B-a4 TPS I5.PxP 16. PKs 1s P-B6 will soon prove decisive. The End Game (Concluded) ur Another correspondence game; Black move ay P-aBe Strong, and embarrassing to White, The Pawn engages the QP, which is the only White piece that commands the pint KS. It ean, therefore, not take the hostile Pawn, a8 after (2) Px P ch, Px P, White has no means to stop the ‘check at K4, which would soon prove fatal to him RT Unsatisfactory enough; but the Kt cannot move to any square improving his position, and without exposing the White Pawns fo the attack ofthe Rook, Bees PxP S.PxP Ki-B5ch 4.K-83 Kika. Now White can do nothing effectual. Ifthe Rook moves, Black will win the QP. 5.K-03 PoRb 6.K-KS RKus Common Sense in Chote ‘This maneuver withthe Rook i splendid, He threatens snow R- QBS-B6 ch winning the QP. White eannot fs trate that plan, g (7) K-Q3, R-QBS; (8) P-R, Kt-BS eh (9) K-K3, P-KKt4 (10) K-BE, R-QS, et, TORRE R-a88 8.R-aK8 R-B6ch 9.K-82 Kx? IO.RxPch cad IRR KBs Hf now (12) RxP, R-BY; (18) K-KI, K-KG; (14) R-K7 ch, K-Q6; (15) Kt-Bl, KtxP eb; (16) K-Ql, PQS; and White has no satisfactory move let, 12. P-KS RK6 and White resigns, fr if (18) PxP, PxP; (14) R-KBT, R-KT ch The following position cccurred in a match game at Hastings, 1895, between Messrs, Schlechter and Teh gorin, The End Game (Concluded) 149 Tt was White's tum to move, and the game went on 1.P-aki4 A Pawn move without a clearly defined purpose is to be criticized. The P at Ktd takes away a good square from the Kt, which that piece ought to have occupied at once in order to threaten Kt-Q5, and to forve the a vance P-B3, which would greatly increase the strength ‘of the B. Moreover, it leaves a strong point at QBS to the Black Kts, which White can only guard by nother advance of a Pay L ZR KK He ought not to eave the important Q lle with his Rook, All defensive purposes could be served just as well by (2) P-RS, which would enable him to reply to (2) +» P-KU with (3) BPxP, PxP, (4) P-RA and to (2) sy PeRS with P-KeL RQ) KK see PKs 3.PKB4 Kia 4P-85 K-82 5.Kt-82 Ki-a3 65-85 Keke Not (6)... » KtxB, as (7) Pxkt, Kt moves; (8) P-B6 would follow. 71-01 Now, decidedly, R-QU was the indicated move, when, for instance, (7)... R-Ql; (8) RxKt, ReR; (9) R-QI would lead to & probable draw. Tee Kuk) -B1 Skt-k3 K-82150 Common Sense in Chess Now the KP has become indefensible. 9.K1-05 P-a9 410. K-87, KtxKP IL.@R-a1 Kix 12. Pxkt R-a 13, Kb RR 4. RAR Keka och TEHIOO RINE 157-4 Tn thus opening up Bles forthe Black Rook he plays Black's game, (15) P-BA is by far preferable. Neither the Blac Ke nor the K will then ever be able to obtain ood positions. (15)... PeRS could then, for jue Stance, be answered by (16) PxP; RxP; (17) R-Q8, Kt-R3; (8) R-QUS winning the pice. 1... PxPe, 16.8 -XR1 K-82 TARP Kk 18, PEK PRS 19, P-04 KEK The End Game (Concluded) 151 A prety little movo which threatens Kt-B1. 2.Pxkich ket 2LP-ki7 KKH 22. RxP RxP 28. KK K-82 It remains to force the exchange of the last P on the K side, in order to have there all lines free, and a clear superirity 2 PK Keke If the plausible (24) . . , K-KtI instead, then (25) K-K4, R-R; (26) Re R KxR; (27) K-BS, K-Key (28) P-KKt5, PxP; (29) KxKeP, drawing without dlificulty. 25. R-RA P84 198. PxP ch kup B7.R-R5 ch . (27) R-BS ch would find its reply in K-KS; (28) KB ch, K-Q2; (29) RxP, R-Kt6 ch; (90) K moves 16, when Black will remain with a winning advan- m.. KK 28. RRS ch K-a2 28. P KIS Rex 90. PxP PxP SD. K-KA RK? 52. ROK K-82 38. RxP K-53 SA. RRS ReKI ‘This maneuver with the Raok, which wins a move, decides the game. The White King dare not move, as152, Common Sense in Chess otherwise the Black KP advances still further; so all White's moves are forced. 95. 8-87 RKO 56. R-R5 Reke ST.R-RI KxP 98. 8-B1 ch K-a3 98.R-QI ch K-83 .R-B1 ch K-a2 ALR-B5 K-a3 R02 Pek 48.8-OK2 K-Bt ‘And White resigned the struggle which Black had mas terfully conducted.