GAME II.

Between V. H. der Laza and Mr. H. of Berlin.

White mates in three moves.*

NOTE TO GAME II.

(a) Having now your Q. P. protected, and an opening for your Queen, you can advantageously advance the K. Kt. P., and sacrifice your Kt., as in the Muzio Gambit.

* A brilliant and amusing little skirmish.

GAME III.

Between Mr. Popert and an eminent Polish player.

Black mates in three moves.

GAME IV.

White mates in five moves.

NOTES TO GAME IV.

(a) This has been shown to be an extremely hazardous mode of play, and one which can only be ventured against an inferior opponent.

(b) Q. B. takes P. is a better move.

(c) This is an error which should cost the game.

the K. to K.'s 2d.

He should move

(d) He would be mated directly on taking either Q. or B.

(e) Better, as the after play shows, than castling.

(f) If White had castled on the previous move, this B. would have been taken with a check.

LESSON II.

THE CUNNINGHAM GAMBIT.

THIS sparkling variation in the defence of the King's Gambit was brought into general notice from its adoption by Mr. Cunningham, the historian, one of the most eminent chessplayers of his day in Europe. It differs from all other variations of the same opening, inasmuch that Black, instead of attempting to sustain the Pawn he has gained, by the customary move of 3. K. Kt. P. two, plays his K. B. to K.'s 2d, .with the intention of checking at K. R.'s 5th, and either compelling White to move his King, or by interposing a Pawn, enable Black not only to break up the Pawns on the King's side, but to exchange his doubled P. for another of greater value and importance. The leading works to be consulted on this lively method of opposing the gambit are-Bertin (London, 1735); Stamma; Philidor (1782); Allgaier; Sarratt (1808); Lewis (1844); Walker (1846); and the German "Handbuch."

Your move of B. to Q. B.'s 4th is the best at your command; it enables you either to play the K. to B.'s sq., when he is checked, or to castle at the first convenient opportunity.

5. K. B. to his 3d.

5. K. to B.'s sq. Instead of 5. K. to B.'s sq., which is the best move you can make, you may also play 5. K. Kt. P. one, as in the next game. If Black, in lieu of retreating his B. to B.'s 3d, play 5. B. to K. Kt.'s 4th, you answer with 6. Q. P. two, then take the K. B., and finally play Q. to K. B.'s 3d, with a fine game. He may, however, move 5. K. Kt. to R.'s 3d, and then the following variation is probable :

6. Q. P. two.
7. Q. to K.'s 2d.

8. K. Kt. takes B.

9. Kt. to K. B.'s 3d.

10. P. takes Kt.

11. Q. B. to K. B.'s 4th.

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5. K. Kt. to R.'s 3d.
6. K. Kt. to his 5th.

7. K. Kt. to B.'s 7th.

8. Kt. takes R.

9. Kt. to his 6th (ch.) 10. P. takes P.

He can also attack the Kt. by advancing the Kt. P. another

sq., but the result would still be in your favor.

Your present move is not so prudent as 5. K. to B.'s sq., but it is one very frequently adopted, and with which you ought to be conversant.

If instead of taking the P., Black retire his B. to Kt.'s 4th you castle, and have a good position. If he play 5. Q. Kt

P. two, you may take the K. B. P., checking, and afterwards capture his B. with K. Kt.

6. Castles.

7. K. to R.'s sq.

6. P. takes P. (ch.)

7. K. B. to his 3d.

The situation here is remarkable, and it is scarcely possible to conceive, at first sight, how such a position could occur at the sixth move of the game.

Black has all his Pawns, while on your side there is a startling deficiency; it was from this circumstance that Bertin and Stamma distinguished the opening as the "Three Pawns' Gambit." At this point Philidor observes that Black must win, and in this opinion he is seconded by Ercole Del Rio (Lolli, p. 369); but Allgaier, on the other hand, remarks,- -"With equally good players, however, White's game is not so irredeemably lost as Philidor makes it." Instead of 7. B. to K. B.'s 3d, Black may play 7. Q. P. two, or 7. B. to K.'s 2d, for the result of which see the Variation. 8. K. Kt. to K.'s 5th. 8. B. takes Kt. (best).

For your 8th move, Philidor gives P. to K.'s 5th, pursuing the game as follows:

8. P. to K.'s 5th.

9. P. takes B.

10. B. to Q. Kt.'s 3d.
11. Q. P. two.

12. Q. B. to K. B.'s 4th.
13. Q. Kt. to Q.'s 2d.
14. Q. B. P. two.
15. P. takes Q. P.
16. Q. R. to Q. B.'s sq.
17. Q. Kt. takes K. Kt.
18. Kt. takes K. R. P.

8. Q. P. two.

9. K. Kt. takes P.
10. Q. B. to K.'s 3d.
11. Kt. to K.'s 5th.
12. K. B. P. two.
13. Q. to K.'s 2d.
14. Q. B. P. one.
15. P. takes P.
16. Q. Kt. to B.'s 3d.
17. K. B. P. takes Kt.
18. Castles on King's side.

(Kt. to K.'s 5th, for your 18th move, seems to be at least as good as tak ing the Pawn.)

19. Q. to her 2d.

Philidor now makes Black play 19. K. R. P. one, and White answers with 20. Q. R. to Q. B.'s 5th; but, as the "Handbuch" remarks, he overlooks the fact that White might win by 20. B. takes K. R. P.

9. Q. to K. R.'s 5th.

10. R. takes K. B. P.

9. Q. to K.'s 2d (best).

10. Q. to her B.'s 4th.

11. R. to K. B.'s 8th (d'ble ch.) 11. K. to his 2d.

12. Q. P. two.

12. Q. takes P. (best).

If he play 12. Q. takes B., you proceed thus:—