The white king is placed on the fourth (black) square, (No. 61) at one end of the board, counting from the right hand; the black (or red) king upon the fifth (white) square, (No. 5) at the other end of the board; opposite to each other. The white queen is placed upon the fifth (white) square, (No. 60) on the left of her king; the black queen upon the fourth (black) square, (No. 4) on the right of her king: the two queens are thus likewise opposite to each other.

The bishops are placed on each side of their king and queen, 59 and 62 for the white, 3 and 6 for the black; the knights on each side of the bishops, the white on 38 and 63, the black on 2 and 7; and the rooks (or castles) in the four

corners.

The eight pawns (or common men) are placed upon the eight squares of the second line, in the front of their respective colours.

The pieces, and pawns, on the side of the king, take their names from him, as those on the side of the queen do from her, and are called the black or white king's bishops, 6 and 62; the king's knights, 7 and 63; the king's rooks, 8 and 64: the black or white king's pawns, 13 and 53; the king's bishop's pawns, 14 and 54; the king's knight's pawns, 15 and 55; the king's rook's pawns 16 and 56; the black or white queen's bishops, 3 and 59; the queen's knights, 2 and 58; the queen's rooks, 1 and 57; the queen's pawns, 12 and 52; the queen's bishop's pawns, 11 and 51; the queen's knight's pawns, 10 and 50; and the queen's rook's pawns, 9 and 49.

The chess-board is assumed to be divided into two equal portions, the territory of either party, No. 1 to 32 for the black; 33 to 64 for the white.

The squares are denominated from the pieces, as the king's square, queen's square, &c. The squares in a direct line before the king, are called the king's file, and the other files are named from their respective pieces, as the king's bishop's file, the queen's rook's file, &c.

The squares on which the pawns stand, do not receive names from them, but are called relatively, the king's second square, the king's bishop's second square, the queen's knight's second square, &c.; and the squares are named in like manner to the opposite side of the board, as the king's third square, the king's bishop's fourth square, the queen's knight's fifth square, the king's rook's seventh square, the queen's bishop's eighth square, &c., so that every square has an opposite denomination to each player, the white king's fourth square being the black king's fifth square; the white king's bishop's seventh square, is the black king's bishop's second square; and so on with all the others, according to the scheme laid down at page 18.*

* A ready knowledge of the names of the squares, as they respect each player, is the first object of the Student, and will be found most easily acquired by the use of the "Self-instructing Chess-board," an accompaniment to this treatise; and to be had of the same Publisher.

OF THE PIECES AND THEIR MOVES.

When a piece has not been moved, it is said to be "at its square."

THE KING.

The king (stiled Chah by the Orientals) moves every way but only one square at a time, except in the case of castling.

The kings cannot approach each other within the interval of one square.

The king may leap once in the game, either on his own side or on the side of his queen (called castling), for which see explanation of terms, p. 29.

The relative value of the king cannot readily be ascertained: being invested with the attribute of royalty, his person is sacred; and he cannot be taken: he is rather the object of the game, than a working piece.

THE QUEEN.

The queen (originally pherz general) combines the move of the rook and the bishop. She can move in a straight line, and also angularly across the board; as from 37 to 1, 5, 16, 33, 40, 58, 61, 64, or to any of the intermediate squares in those directions. Having thus the power of traversing any number of squares at one move, and of capturing at any dis

tance, she is the most valuable piece on the board; being estimated as equal to two rooks and a pawn, and superior to three minor pieces. Towards the close of the game however, when the board has become cleared, her power is somewhat intrenched upon, by the increased value of the rooks.

THE ROOK OR CASTLE.

The rook or castle (formerly rath, an armed chariot, afterwards rokh, a hero) can at one move be played over any number of squares in a right line, cither forward, backward, or sideway; and can stop at any square, or take at any distance, when no other piece intervenes. A rook is equal in value to a minor piece and two pawns; and a rook and two pawns are equal to two minor pieces. When the board is sufficiently thinned to afford scope for action, the rook is the rival of the queen; being possessed of equal power, with a different field of action, the queen acting diagonally, and the rook at right angles.

THE BISHOP.

The bishops (originally fil an elephant) move over any number of squares, but angularly only, on the same coloured squares as at first placed, backward or forward; as from 36 to 8, 9, 57 or 63, or any of the intervening squares; and can take at any distance, provided the road is open to them. A bishop is equal in value to three pawns, and may be ex

changed for a knight, to which however, in the opinion of many, he is somewhat superior.

THE KNIGHT.

The movement of the knights (horse soldiers) consists of a double action, first through the adjoining square in a direct line every way, and then obliquely to the adjoining square either way likewise; or it may be accomplished by moving in the first instance obliquely, and concluding by a movement in a direct line either way; both proceeding to the same destination (see diagram p. 26). The knight thus possesses eight points of movement, always to the third square distant (including that upon which he stands) in every direction, from black to white, and from white to black. He may move from 36 to 19, 21, 30, 46, 51, 53, 26, 42, passing over any men on the intermediate squares, which no other piece is allowed to do.

The relative value of the Bishop and the Knight, is a subject of nice calculation with expert players, as may be seen in the works of Lewis and Walker, who have collected the observations of most of their predecessors on the subject. The following chief points of the superiority of each piece, will be useful to the student.

Advantages of the Bishop over the Knight.

1.-A Bishop can at one move, be played to a greater distance.

2.-The Bishops, acting in concert, form a barrier, impassable to the adverse King, which the Knights cannot.