8. Castles.

9. Kt. to K's 2d. (best.) 9. R. to K's sq.

This is your best reply, if you capture either B. or P. you lose in a few moves. (See the "Handbook," p. 335.)

10. Q's Kt. to B's 3d. 10. B. to K. B's 3d.

We do not see that Black has anything better.

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

And White has some little advantage. It is worth while remarking, that if Black now adopt the tempting move of B. to K. Kt.'s 5th, White will win at least a p.a.w.n. We leave the "modus operandi" for the investigation of the young player.

We cannot take our leave of this inexhaustible opening, without once more recommending the amateur who is ambitious of becoming initiated into the mysteries of the Bishop's Gambit, to study the admirable articles on this debut, published by Major Jaenisch, in the late volumes of the "Chess-Player's Chronicle," which exhibit, perhaps, the most patient and profound a.n.a.lysis the annals of Chess have ever produced.

THE GAMBIT REFUSED.

The refusal of the gambit, though it may be done with perfect safety, generally leads to a dull and uninteresting game; we would therefore advise the young player to accept the proffered p.a.w.n, more especially when receiving the odds of a piece, as he will gain more knowledge of the game by observing the manner in which a fine player pursues his attack, than can be obtained from all the works that have ever been written on the subject.

GAME I.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. P. to K. B's 4th. 2. B. to Q. B's 4th.

This has usually been received as the best method of declining the gambit, though a preference has sprung up lately in favour of P. to Q's 4th (See Game II.). Major Jaenisch recommends K's Kt. to B's 3d, to which you reply with P. takes P.; and upon his taking K's P. with Kt., you play K's Kt. to B's 3d.

3. K's Kt. to B's 3d. 3. P. to Q's 3d.

4. P. to Q. B's 3d. 4. B. to K. Kt.'s 5th.

5. P. to K. R's 3d. 5. B. takes Kt.

We believe your 5th move is now more generally preferred to B. to K's 2d. You may also play 5. P. to Q's 4th., though it is somewhat hazardous.

6. Q. takes B. 6. Q's Kt. to B's 3d.

7. B. to Q. B's 4th, or Kt.'s 5th.

And the game is about even.

GAME II.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. P. to K. B's 4th 2. P. to Q's 4th.

3. P. takes Q's P. 3. P. to K's 5th. (best.)

You may also play 3. K's Kt. to B's 3d., apparently without danger.

4. P. to Q's 4th. 4. Q. takes Q's P.

Your 4th move seems far stronger than the usually received play of B. to Q. Kt.'s 5th. (ch.)

5. P. to Q. B's 4th. 5. Q. to Q's sq.

6. B. to Q. B's 4th.

You have the better game.

THE CENTRE GAMBIT.

This opening, though pa.s.sed over by many of the books, frequently gives birth to many beautiful and critical positions, and unless properly opposed, is very embarra.s.sing.

GAME I.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. P. to Q's 4th. 2. P. takes P.

3. B. to Q. B's 4th. 3. K's Kt. to B's 3d.

You may also play here P. to K. B's 4th, a move as yet, we believe, una.n.a.lysed. (See Game II.) Black's reply is the correct one, whereby he reduces the game to a position similar to one in the K. Kt.'s defence to the King's Bishop's game. (For B. to Q. Kt.'s 5th. (ch.) see Variation A.)

4. P. to K's 5th. 4. P. to Q's 4th.

5. B. to Q. Kt.'s 3d. 5. Kt. to K's 5th.

Retiring the Bishop thus is far better than taking the Kt. with K's P.

(See the Giuoco Piano for a similar position.)

6. K's Kt. to K's 2d. 6. P. to Q. B's 4th.

If you play 6. K's Kt. to B's 3d., Black will gain some advantage by B.

to Q. Kt.'s 5th. (ch.)

7. P. to K. B's 3d. 7. Kt. to K. Kt.'s 4th.

8. Kt. to K. B's 4th. 8. P. to Q. B's 5th.

9. B. to Q. R's 4th. (ch.) 9. Kt. to Q. B's 3d.

10. B. takes Kt. (ch.) 10. P. takes B.

11. Q. takes P.

Even game.

These are the moves given by Jaenisch, who seems to consider the position in Black's favour.

_Variation A. on Black's 3d Move._

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.