Kt to K 2 16. ---------- P to Q B 4

With the better game.

THIRD VARIATION.

Repeat Second Variation up to White's ninth move inclusive.

... B takes Kt 9. --------- 16. ---------- Kt to R 4 R takes Kt

B to Kt 5 Kt takes R 10. ---------- 17. ---------- Kt to Kt 2 Q takes B

Kt to Q 5 Kt to Kt 5 11. ---------- 18. ---------- P to K B 3 K to Kt 3

B takes P Kt to B 3 12. --------- 19. --------- P takes B B to Kt 5

Kt takes P: ch. Kt to K 5: ch.

13. --------------- 20. -------------- K to B sq. K to R 4

Kt to Kt 5 Kt takes B 14. ------------ 21. ---------- Kt to Kt sq. Q takes Kt

Kt(Kt5) takes P: ch. Even game.

15. -------------------- K to Kt 2

{369}

FOURTH VARIATION.

Repeat Third Variation up to Black's tenth move inclusive.

B takes P: ch. Q to R 5 11. -------------- 15. ---------- K takes B P to K R 3

Kt to Q 5 Q to Kt 6 12. ---------- 16. ---------- R to K sq. P takes Kt

B takes Kt Kt to B 6: ch.

13. ---------- 17. -------------- R takes B K to B sq.

Kt to Kt 5: ch. Kt to R 7: ch.

14. --------------- 18. -------------- K to Kt sq. K to Kt sq.

And White draws by perpetual check.

THE "COMPROMISED" DEFENCE TO THE EVANS GAMBIT.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P to K 4 1. P to K 4 2. Kt to K B 3 2. Kt to Q B 3 3. B to B 4 3. B to B 4 4. P to Q Kt 4 4. B takes P 5. P to B 3 5. B to R 4

By retiring the Bishop to R 4, instead of to B 4 as in the previous variations, Black reserves the option of adopting either the "Compromised"

or the "Normal" Defence. {370}

6. P to Q 4 6. P takes P 7. Castles 7. P takes P

The capture of this, the third p.a.w.n, const.i.tutes the "Compromised" Defence, so called because it was formerly considered that this capture compromised Black's game.

8. Q to Kt 3 8. Q to B 3 9. P to K 5 9. Q to Kt 3

If 9. ... Kt takes P, White would win with 10. R to K sq., P to Q 3.

11. Kt takes Kt, P takes Kt. 12. Q to R 4, or Kt 5: ch., winning a piece.

10. Kt takes P 10. K Kt to K 2 11. B to R 3 11. Castles 12. Kt to Q 5 12. Kt takes Kt 13. B takes Kt ...

If White were to capture the Rook, the course of the game would probably be as follows--

13. B takes R 13. Kt to B 5 (!) 14. Kt to R 4 14. Q to Kt 5 15. Q to Kt 3 15. P to Q 4 16. Q takes Q 16. B takes Q

And White must lose one of the two attacked Bishops.

... 13. P to Q 3 14. P takes P 14. P takes P 15. Q R to Q sq. 15. R to Q sq.

16. Q to R 4 ...

Threatening to win a piece with 17. B takes Kt.

... 17. B to Kt 3 18. B takes Kt 18. P takes B 19. Q takes B P 19. R to Kt sq.

20. R takes P 20. B to K 3

The only defence, for Queen and Rook are {371} attacked, and he cannot play 20. ... R takes R, because of 21. Q to K 8 mate.

21. K R to Q sq.

Threatening 22. R takes R: ch., R takes R: 23. R takes R: ch., B takes R; 24. Q to K 8: mate.

... 21. P to K R 3

The position being perfectly even, the game should result in a draw. There is no danger now for Black to lose a piece, because after 22. R takes R: ch., R takes R: 23. R takes R: ch., B takes R; 24. Q to K 8: ch., K to R 2, White cannot play 25. Q takes B, because of 25. ... Q to Kt 8: mate.

SECOND VARIATION.

Repeat the opening from preceding game up to White's 9th move.

B to Kt 5[87] Q takes B 9. ------------- 11. ------------ Q to Kt 3 P to B 3[88]

Kt takes P B to B 4 10. ---------- 12. -------- B takes Kt P to Q 3

With the better game.

THE EVANS GAMBIT DECLINED.

From the foregoing ill.u.s.trations of the Evans Gambit, it will be seen that this opening is exceedingly complicated both for the attack and the defence. It is safer for Black to _decline_ accepting the gambit, which is done by playing 4. ... B to {372} Kt 3. The opening is then reduced to a Giuoco Piano, White having (theoretically speaking) compromised his p.a.w.ns on the Queen's side by having advanced them prematurely, which advance may prove a weakness in the ending.