liminaries of the game, we herein lead him a step further by abbreviating the notation of the moves as introduced by Philidor, a plan now generally adopted as more convenient and condensed than any other. The abbreviations will be found in accordance with the diagram at page 18. This pawn is played two moves for important reasons; 1st to hinder the black K. B. from playing upon white K. B. P.; 2ndly to place the strength of the white pawns in the centre of the board, with the view of pushing on to queen. When the game is in this situation, viz. one of your pawns at your king's, and another at your queen's 4th square, do not push either of them before your adversary prepares an exchange: in such case advance the attacked pawn. Pawns when sustained in a front line obstruct very much the adversary's pieces from entering your game or taking a desirable position. If he give check with his bishop, cover the check with your bishop, in order to retake his bishop with your kinight, in case he take your's; your knight will then defend your king's pawns otherwise unprotected. Black will however probably not take the bishop, because a good player endeavours to retain his king's bishop, as long as he can. You should not play your knight to your bishop's 3rd square before the bishop's pawn has moved two squares, because the move of the pawn is hindered by the knight, The white bishop retires to avoid being attacked by the black queen's pawn, which would force White to take that pawn, thus deceasing his strength and disarranging the project before mentioned, + Black plays thus to give an opening to his king's rook; which cannot be avoided whether white takes the pawn or not. If white should take the pawn in lieu of playing his queen, he would commit a great error, for his king's pawn would then lose its line; whereas if his king's pawn is taken, his queen's pawn supplies the place, and may sustain it with that of the king's bishop. These two pawns will evidently win the game, because they cannot now be parted without the loss of a piece; or one of them will make a queen. Besides it is of no little consequence to play the queen thus, for two reasons; 1st to support and defend the king's bishop's pawn; and 2nd to sustain the queen's bishop, which if taken, must be recaptured with the above mentioned last pawn; and thus white's best pawn would be divided and the game certainly lost. He retakes the pawn to give an opening to his king's rook. He plays this bishop to protect his queen's pawn, with a view afterwards to push that of his queen's bishop. He might have taken the white bishop, but he prefers to allow his to be taken to clear a way for his queen's rook, though his knight's pawn is thereby doubled. This is the subject of another game branching from this 12th move. The king's pawn not being in danger, the white knight at tacks the black bishop in order to take or have it removed. 2 * It is always unsafe to let the adversary's king's bishop batter the line of your king's bishop's pawn; and as it is likewise the most dangerous piece to form an attack, it is not only necessary to attack him at all times by your queen's bishop, but you must get rid of that piece as soon as a convenient opportunity presents. + He casties on his own side, with a view to strengthen and protect his king's bishop's pawn, which must be advanced two squares as soon as the king's pawn is attacked. Black is forced to play this pawn, to deter White from pushing king's bishop's pawn upon his queen. This move is to concentrate all the pawns, and push them afterwards with vigour. Black plays this pawn to hinder White's knight from entering in his game, and forcing his queen to remove, which would open a way for adversary's pawns. This knight is played in order to push king's bishop's pawn next move; it will be then strengthened by three pieces, the bishop, rook, and the knight. ** He plays this knight to subvert White's scheme, by pushing his king's knight's pawn and breaking the strength of his opponent's pawns. White may prevent his design by changing the rook for his knight. *The rook is played to protect the king's pawn, which else would remain in the lurch, when the king's bishop's pawn is moved forward. The queen returns to prevent checkmate. White would run the risk of losing the game, were he not to take with his pawn, Black offers to exchange queens, in order to frustrate White's plan of giving him check-mate with his queen and bishop. When your bishop runs upon white, put your pawn always upon black, and vice versa, when your bishop runs black, have your pawns upon white, because then your bishop serves to drive away your adversary's king or rook when between your pawns. |