Pruen, Thomas AN INTRODUCTION то THE HISTORY AND STUDY OF CHESS; WITH Copious Descriptions, TOGETHER WITH A SYSTEM OF ELEMENTARY RULES FOR PLAYING: TO WHICH IS ADDED, THE ANALYSIS OF CHESS OF ANDRÉ DANICAN PHILIDOR. The whole simplifyed, and arranged in a manner entirely new, Of armies on the chequer'd field array'd, When two bold kings contend with vain alarms, In iv'ry this-and that in ebon arms, Sing, sportive maids, that haunt the sacred hill Caïssa, by SIR WILLIAM JONES. Cheltenham, PRINTED BY H. RUFF: FOR DWYER, NO. 29, HOLBORN HILL; ROBINSONS, AND 1804. PREFACE. AMIDST all the amusements that have been invented by man, for the employment of the idle, or the relief of the studious, Chess stands unique and pre-eminent. It is indisputably the noblest of games, and worthy the attention, as it has been the enthusiastic delight, of the greatest characters, whether kings, warriors, or philosophers. Many of the latter have rank'd it among the Sciences, and Mr. Philidor elegantly says, "Its pursuit is almost unremittingly productive of problems, not unworthy the solution of genius; and whose extent and intricacy elude even the suspicion of ordinary minds." As an amusement it possesses one advantage as great as it is singular. It is so highly interesting in .itself, and the attention is so strongly engaged by it, that it requires not the additional inducement of gain, and in consequence is rarely or never played for money. It must be acknowledged, however, that in proportion as the attention is kept up, so are the passions aroused, and the chagrin and disappointment considerable on being defeated; since as chance has nothing to do in the decision, and ill luck, therefore, cannot be blamed, the player experiences all those sensations that naturally arise from defeat occasioned by misconduct. A spe |