About an even game.

At the present day, however, as we have said, the defence of 3. ... P to Q R 3 is discarded by the best authorities in favour of 3. ... Kt to K B 3.

The game may then proceed as follows:

4. Castles 4. Kt takes P 5. P to Q 4 5. B to K 2 6. Q to K 2 6. Kt to Q 3 (!) 7. B takes Kt 7. Kt P takes B (!)

If 7. ... Q P takes B, White would obtain an advantage by 8. P takes P, Kt to B 4; 9. R to Q sq., B to Q 2; 10. P to K 6 (!), P takes P; 11. Kt to K 5, Kt to Q 3 (or B to Q 3); 12. Q to R 5; ch., P to Kt 3; 13. Kt takes Kt P, and wins.

8. P takes P 8. Kt to Kt 2 (!) 9. Kt to B 3 9. Kt to B 4 10. Kt to Q 4 10. Castles

The tempting move 10. ... B to R 3, winning the exchange, would be unsound, because of White's reply 11. Q to Kt 4, Castles; 12. B to R 6, &c.

Another variation proceeds as follows:

{381}

4. P to Q 4 4. P takes P 5. Castles 5. B to K 2 6. P to K 5 6. Kt to K 5 7. R to K sq. 7. Kt to B 4 8. B takes Kt 8. Q P takes B (!) 9. Kt takes P 9. Castles 10. B to K 3 10. R to K sq.

11. Kt to Q B 3 11. Kt to K 3 12. Kt to B 5 12. Kt to B sq.

Even game.

The remaining Openings, though not less important, we shall be compelled to deal with more briefly. It must, however, be remembered that it is only the first three or four moves on either side (or even less) which const.i.tute a given Opening. All beyond these are optional, though in many instances the best moves in continuation on either side have been ascertained by careful a.n.a.lysis, and these are consequently known, among players, as "book" moves.

PHILIDOR'S DEFENCE.

After 1. P to K 4, P to K 4; 2. Kt to K B 3, Black may defend the attacked King's p.a.w.n with 2.... P to Q 3, and this const.i.tutes _Philidor's Defence_.

WHITE. BLACK.

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

If 4. Q takes P, Black replies 4.... Kt to Q B 3 (best); 5. B to Q Kt 5, B to Q 2; 6. B takes Kt, B takes B; 7. B to Kt 5, Kt to B 3; 8. B takes Kt.

{382} Q takes B; 9. Q takes Q, P takes Q; 10. Kt to B 3, and Black has two Bishops against two Knights, and an open Kt and K file for his Rooks, and consequently the advantage.

... 4. Kt to K B 3 5. B to Q B 4 5. B to K 2

Equal game.

SECOND VARIATION.

P to K 4 1. -------- P to K 4

Kt to K B 3 2. ----------- P to Q 3

B to B 4 3. -------------- P to K B 4[94]

P to Q 4 4. ----------- K P takes P

Kt to Kt 5 5. ----------- Kt to K R 3

Kt takes P 6. ------------ Q to K 2[95]

Q to R 5: ch.

7. ------------- K to Q 2

B to Kt 5 8. -------------- Q takes P: ch.

K to Q 2 9. --------- Q to Kt 5

Q to Kt 6 10. ---------- R takes Kt

B to Q 5 11. ------------ P to B 3[96]

P to K R 3 12. -------------- Winning the Q.

THIRD VARIATION.

Repeat the opening of second variation up to Black's fourth move.

{383}

4. ----------- B P takes P

Kt takes P 5. ---------- P takes Kt

Q to R 5: ch.

6. ------------- K to Q 2

Q to B 5: ch.

7. ------------- K to B 3

Q takes P (K 4)[97]

8. ------------------- P to Q R 3

P to Q 5: ch.

9. ------------- K to Kt 3

B to K 3: ch.

10. ------------- B to B 4[98]

B takes B: ch.

11. -------------- K takes B

Q to R 5: ch.

7. ------------- K to Q 2

B to Kt 5 8. -------------- Q takes P: ch.

K to Q 2 9. --------- Q to Kt 5