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COMMON SENSEIN CHESS

BYEMANUEL LASKER

New York :J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY.

57 Rose Street.

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PREFACE.

The following is an abstract of Twelve Lecturesgiven before an audience of London chess playersduring the spring of 1 895. It may be regarded asan attempt to deal with all parts of a game of chessby the aid of general principles. The principles laiddown are deduced from considerations concerningthe nature of Chess as a fight between two brains,and their conception is based on simple facts. Theirpractical working has been illustrated by positionsadapted to the purpose, and likely to occur overthe board.

It has been my aim to reduce the different rulesinnumberasmuch aswascompatible withclearness.They all, it will be found, have a remote likeness,and it would therefore not have been very difficultto reduce their number still more. Indeed theymay ultimately be united in one single leadingprinciple, which is the germ of the theory not onlyof Chess, but of any kind of fight. This principleis sufficiently indicated here, but it is so general inits conception, and the difficulty of expressing thewhole compass of its meaning in definite terms soenormous, that I have not ventured to formulate it.In a future work, for which the present one shall

ivi97496


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8pave the way, I hope to be able to illustrate thesignificance of that principle, and its capacity forshowing facts in theirrightrelation to one another.Forthat work I have also deferredthe discussion ofsome points which require very nice differentiation,such as all questions relating to the manoeuvringof the King and the exchange of men.The games and positions given in this book arecomparatively few,but they have been selected withcare. I therefore would advise the student not toattempt to read ihQ matter only, but to study itand sink some work into it. The rules deducedare, I believe, very plausible. This need not deceivethe student, who will see their significance in aclearer light if he tries to be reasonably scepticaland exacting in the matter of proofs.As regards the analytical notes about games oropenings, I have tried to be short and to the point.Analytical detail is therefore not abundant, butI think, reliable. The method of enumerating allthe variitions thought possible, or probable, hasbeen laid aside, and in its place an analysis has beengiven, which makes use of both the considerationof the leading variations and general principles.The diction and style of the work are those of alecturer. Feeling that I have not been able to makethem as perfect as I should have desired, I mustask for the lenient judgment of the reader.

I take this opportunity for expressing my heartythanks to Professor Villin Marmery for his kindassistance in looking over the proofs.

Emanuel Lasker.

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Common ^ense m Cfjessi.No. 1.

Gentlemen,It is customary to begin withdefinitions, but I am sure that all of you are so wellacquainted with the essential parts of the history,the rules and the characteristics of Chess, that youwill allow me to jump atonce in medias res. Chesshas been represented, or shall I say misrepresented,as a gamethat is, a thing which could not wellserve a serious purpose, solely created for the enjoy-mentofanempty hour. If it wereagame only, Chesswould never have survived the serious trials towhich it has, during the long time of its existence,been often subjected. By some ardent enthusiastsChess has been elevated into a science or an art. Itis neither ; but its principal characteristic seems tobewhathuman nature mostly delights inafight.Not a fight, indeed, such as would tickle the nervesof coarser natures,where blood flows and the blowsdelivered leave their visible traces on the bodies ofthe combatants, but a fight in which the scientific,the artistic, the purely intellectual element holdsundivided sway. From this standpoint, a game ofChessbecomes a harmonious whole, the outlines ofwhich I wall endeavor to describe to you in thiscourse of lectures.The requisites in Chess are a board of sixty-foursquares, and two bodies of men. We have, there-fore, one great advantage over the general who isto lead an army into the fieldwe know where tofind the enemy, and the strength at his disposal.


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We have the gratifying^knowledge that as far asmaterial strength is concerned we shall be equal toour opponents. Nevertheless, our first step will beexactly analogous to that of a commander of anarmy. First of all we shall mobilize our troops,make them ready for action, try to seize the impor-tant lines and points which are yet wholly unoccu-pied. This proceeding will take, as a rule, no morethan six moves, as we shall see later on. If weshould neglect to do so, our opponent would availhimself of the opportunity thus given him, wouldquickly assail some vital point, and ere we couldrally, the battle would be finished.

Let me, in illustration of my assertions, go oversome well known little games, in which mistakeand the punishment thereof are clearly traceable.

White. Black.1. PK4 PK4:2. KtKB3 PQ33. BB4 PKR3

So far, with the exception of the last move, Blackhas played quite well. He has opened lines for histwo Bishops and the Queen, and now should bringout his QKt to B3. Instead of that, afraid of somepremature attack, he quite unnecessarily makes amove that does not give additional force to any ofhis pieces.

4. KtQB3 ^BKt5A mistake. The Knights should be first devel-oped, then the Bishops.


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11 ;5. Kt X P B X Q6. BxPch K K27. Kt Q 5 checkmate

Another tune to the same song.White. Black.

1. PK4 PK42. KtKB3 KtKB33. KtxP KtQB3

Black evidently believes in the principle of quickdevelopment, and even neglects to take White'sKP, in order to gain time.

4. KtxKt QPxKt5. P-Q3 BQB46. BKt5A mistake ; he ought to guard against the threat-

ened KtKt5 with BK2. Now he is overtakenby a catastrophe.6 KtxP7. BxQ BxPch8. KK2 BKt5 checkmate

Another variation.White. Bi.ack.

1. PK4 PK42. PKB4 PxP

White, in order to aid his development, sacrificesa Pawn, Whether with good reason or not, weshall not argue for the present.


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3. BB4 QR5ch4. K PQ4An excellent move. Black also sacrifices a Pawn,

to invest it, so to say, in facilities for bringing outhis pieces.

5. BxP PKKt46. KtKB3 Q-T-R47. PKR4A good move, which gives our Rook something to

do. The attack on Black's Pawn, liowever, is onlyan apparent one for the moment, because both theKt and KRP are pinned.7 P^KR3

He ought to develop a piece, for instance BKt2.This omission will cost him the game.8. BxPch QxB

Not KXB, on account of (9) KtK5ch.9. KtK5 QKt2

10. QR5ch KK211. KtKt6ch K12. KtxR QxKt13. PxP

And now we have two Pawns and an excellentlyplaced Rook for two pieces,while Black's pieces areall still at home, and his King in an unsafe position.Between fairly even players the issue of the gameis therefore decided in favor of White.


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lyct me go over the moves which frequentlyoccur in games of a close character.

White. Black.1. PK4 PK32. PQ4 PQ43. KtQB3 KtKB34. BKKt5 BK2

He ought to first exchange the Pawns, and thenbring his Bishop to K2. In such manner he wouldobtain an almost unassailable position.

5. BxKt. BxB6. KtKB3 Castles

There is no necessity for him to castle so early.His first aim should be to bring his Q side intoaction. For instance: (6) .... PxP; (7) KtxP,KtQ2; (8) BQ3, PQKt3; (9) Castles, BKt2, would be, although not the very best, asufficiently safe plan for bringing his pieces out.

7. B-Q3 PQKt38. PK5 B K29. PKR4

White consistently takes aim against Black's K'side. Black's Q side pieces have so little bearingupon the actual scene of battle that his game isalready greatly compromised.

9 BKt2The only comparatively safe move would havebeen BQR3.


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Black.Mmw. '^///////A

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White.10. BxPch KxB11. KtKt5ch KKt3

If instead KKt sq.; (12) QR5, BxKt; (13)PXB, PB3; (14) PKt6, and mate cannot beavoided.

12. KtK2 BxKt13. PxB PB4

If QXP; (14) KtB4ch.,KB4; (15)QQ3ch.,KKt5; (16) QR3ch., KxKt; (17) QB3mate.


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Id

By the same process, through which your oppo-nent has achieved greater scope for his pieces, youwill then always be able to recoup yourself, and,as a rule, be a gainer in the bargain.

I am speaking rather authoritatively in thismatter, as I cannot prove my assertions for themoment. However, I do not ask you to believeme blindly. In the course of this lecture, and inthose that are to follow, enough, I trust, will befound to warrant what I said. This principle isthe one amendment which I wish to add to thefour rules given in the last Lecture,

KtxPThis move exposes Black to some danger, andI do not think it would be right of me to showyou only how Black gets out of it with flying

colors. We shall come to a fuller understandingof the possibilities of theposition when we, in somevariations, let Black pay the penalty for his daring.

5. RKsqNot the best move, but one that most naturallysuggests itself.

5 KtQ3To gain time by the attack on the White Bishop.

6. KtQB3 KtxB7. KtxP

Cunning play. If Black now takes one of theKnights he loses, e.g.^


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A 7 KKtxKt8. KtxKtch B--K29. KtxB KtxQ

10. KtKt6ch QK211. KtxQ and remains a piece ahead

B 7 QKtxKt8. RxKtch BK29. KtQ5 ! Castles10. KtxBch KRsq

Now see White's mode of attack, which is ratherinstructive and of frequent occurrence.

11. QR5 PKKt3White threatened mate in two by QxPch, etc.

12. QR6 PQ3White mates in two. Which is the move?

13. RR5 PxR14. QB6 checkmate

Let us now return to the original position, atBlack's seventh turn to move.

7 BK2We thus intercept the dangerous file against ourKing and develop a piecetwo great advantages.8. KtQ5 Castles9. KtxKt QPxKt

10. KtxBch K11. KtxB QxKt12. PQ3 QB413. BK3 PKR3


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And Black's game is, if anything, preferable. Yousee how quicklyWhitens attack has spent itself out.But then he did not make the best of his positionat move 5. Let us therefore return to that point.

6. P-Q4We develop and attack at the same time, whileour Pawn cannot be taken, viz : (5) PxP,(6) RK, (6) PKB4, (7) KtxP, threateningPKB 3, and should win.

BK2KtQ3 instead leads to an early exchange ofQueens. The resulting position is rather somewhatin favor of White, viz.:(5) KtQ3 ; (6)BxKt, QPxB; (7)PxP, KtB4; (8) QxQch,KxQ; (9) RQch, KK ; (10) KtQB3.BK2 : (11) PKR3, BKB ; (12) BKKt5with an occasional onslaught of the K side Pawns.

6. QK2The last move is more aggressive than PxP atonce, which would allow Black time to do anythinghe pleases, for instance to castle at once, or to ad-vance PQ4. Consider the following variation asan example of what is likely to follow after : (6)PxP, PQ4; (7) PxP e.p., KtxP ; (8) BxKtch., PxB; (9) KtK5, BKt2, and in spiteof his double Pawn Black's pieces are excellentlyplaced.

6 KtQ37. BxKt KtPxB


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not QPxB, which would open the Q file to White'sRook, e.g., (7) , QPxB; (8) PxP, KtB4;(9) R~Q, B--Q2.The Black QB and Q are now so badly placed

that White has an opportunity of bringing thegame to a virtual finish by energetic attack. (10)PK6, PxP; (11) KtK5, threatening both theBishop and QR5ch. , and should therefore win.8. PxP KtKt2

Black.

White,


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We have now come to a critical stage. Black'spieces have retired into safety, ready, with onesingle move, to occupy points of importance.White, on the contrary, has all field to himself,but he can do nothing for the present, as there isno tangible object of attack. Various attemptshave been made to show that White has here thesuperior position. I do not believe that White hasany advantage, and am rather inclined to attributethe greater vitality to the party that has kept itsforces a little back.

Ere we proceed any further let us consider somesub-variations: (9) KtQ4, Castles; (10)R~Q,QK; (11) RK (to prevent either PE3 orPQ4), KtB4(not to be recommended,althoughin frequent use); (12) KtQB3, BR3 ; (13)Q-Kt4, KtK3; (14) KtB5, KR; (15)KtK4 ; and Black is quite helpless against thethreat RK3andR3, etc. Or again; (9)KtQ4.Castles; (10) RQ, QK; (11) RK, KtB4;(12) KtB3, KtK3; (13) KtB5, PQ4; (14)PXP e.p., PxP; (15) QKt4, PKt3 ; (16)BR6, KtKt2; (17) KtxBch, QxKt; (18)QQ4, and wins at least the exchange.These variations show that it must be Black*saim to post his KB on a line where he can dosomeeffectual work, and to advance his QP. From thisposition the following variations suggest them-selves : 9 KtQ4 Castles

10. R Q11. R BB4!12. KtKt3 BKt313. KtB3 P--Q4


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and, if Black has not the best of the position, atleast all danger is past. Another attempt

9. KtB3 Castles10. KtQ4 PB411. BK3 QK12. PKB4 P-Q3

Black's pieces are again all well in play. Whitehas, to a certain extent, compromised himself bythe advance of the KBP.We can now announce our final judgment. The

defence considered, initiated by (3) , KtKB3, yields, in all respects, a satisfactory gameto the second player.


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No. 3.Gentlemen,Though we have estabhshed in

our last Lecture a line of play which will yield agood defence to the usual form of the Ruy Lopez,we may nevertheless look at others well worthnoticing. Truth derives its strength not so muchfrom itself as from the brilliant contrast it makeswith what is only apparently true. This appliesespecially to Chess, where it is often found thatthe profoundest moves do not much startle theimagination.A defence which is frequently played is initiatedin the third move by advancing the QRP againstour Bishop. I need not dwell on the point thatthis move is against the principles of our firstLecture, just as much as KtKB3 is in accord-ance with them. Neither does it, I believe, leadto an even gamean opinion which I shall attemptto substantiate in the following variations :

1. PK4 PK42. KtKB3 KtQB33. BQKt5 PQR3

White has now the option to exchange hisBishop against the adverse Kt, or to retreat it. Asa general rule, it i's not good policy to exchange inthe early stages of a game the long reaching Bishopagainst the Knight, whose power does not extendbeyond a certain circle. Therefore

4. BQR4 KtKB3(4) PQ3 is not to be recommended, onaccount of (5) PQ4, BQ2; (6) PB3, PB4(7) KPxP, PK5 ; (8) KtKt5, with an allround healthy position for White.

6. Castles


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Both, (5) KtB3 or PQ3, would yield Whitea good game. His chances of success are, how-ever, greatly increased if he adopts a more dash-ing form of attack.

5 KtxPBlack cannot well refuse the acceptance of the(momentary) sacrifice, as otherwise White willobtain a good position by PQ4, followed bvPK5 ; or else (5) PQ3 ; (6) PQ4.PQKt4 ; (7) PxP with a good game.

6. PQ4 PQKt47. BKt3 PQ4

Black would be rather venturesome to take theQP, because White could continue with Rand molest the Black KKt, in fact finally win it.

8. PxP BK39. PQB3

White's last move is an exception to the rule wehave hitherto followed, to develop as quickly aspossible. The game has assumed already a characterof its own, which in consequence adds to the im-portance of some pieces in preference to others.Onr KB is destined to serve as the backbone ofour attack against the Black King, in the moment(which must soon arrive) that he castles on the K^ide. We therefore preserve it against the possibleattack of the Black Kts, which are driven intoexposed points.

9 KBB4K2 would also be a favorable spot for the Bishop,but it seems necessary to reserve this point for theQKt.


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Moreover, there is a certain want of protectionon the Q vside, for which you provide by puttingI he Bi.shop into the rear of your Pawns.No fault is now to be found with Black'sdevelopment, all his pieces being well in play; butliis Pawn position on the Q side is compromised.How White will take advantage of that weaknessthe following will explain :

10. KtQ2 Castles11. BB2

Black.

Whit,


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The position becomes now very instructive.Whether the twice attacked Kt is removed, orexchanged, or guarded, in each case White obtainsa splendid game.

A 11. KtKt412. KtxKt QxKt13. KtK4 QK214. KtxB QxKt15. BK3 QK216. PKB4

sooner or later threatening P-position.

-B5, with a beautiful

B 11. KtxKtWhat is the right move nowthe move whichadds most to the power of our pieces ?

12. QxKtNow we threaten KtKt5. With PKR3 hecannot defend, as QQ3 would force PKKt3,and thus the gratuitous win of the RP. IfBK2, RK, to be followed by KtQ4, andthen speedily PKB4, would give us the pullso he plays

1213. PQKt414. KtKt5

KtK2BKt3


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BlvACK.

I 1^1^1m. î 1^1 .. 'mm.^-^ mm. -mm, . iK.rM''...MzMl^w-^î^ ^ ^^^-^

iiJ^^^. ^^5^^//////ZMÎ4b isi .^n..^^

fii\V/////////. OfT^^TTT /, ^ ^ fe^

White.Let us consider some variations in this interest-

ing position :A 14. PKR3

15. KtR7 R16. KtB6ch PxKt17. QxP PB418. BKt5

and Black is without defence.


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B 14. KtKt315. Bxkt* RPXB16. Q-B4

threatening QR4, etc.16. R17. QR4 PKB318. QR7ch. K-B19. QR8ch. BKt20. PxP PxP21. KtR7ch. KB222. BR6 and wins.

C 14. BKB415. *BxB * KtxB16. Q-Q3 PKKt317. Q-R3 PR318. PKKt4 PxKt19. PxKt QK220. RNow we threaten the advance of our KB Fawn,

to be followed up by QR6. So Black can donothing else but

20 PKB321. PxKtP PxP22. RxP

regardless of expense,22 BxPch.23. K QKt224. QK6ch. K25. RxKtP winning easily.

What must strike us most forcibly in this varia-tion, is the tremendous power of our K side


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Pawns, which have swept everything before them,as a matter of fact, totally annihilated the oppos-ing force, while at the same time Black's Q sidePawns have been lazy spectators of the fight.Let us go back again to where we left off the

examination of our principal line of play.11 PKB412. PxP e./>.

Also KtKt3 and then QKtQ4 would be agood continuation.

12 KtxP13. KtKt5 BKt514. QKtB3 KtK415. BB4 KtxKt16. PxKt B

BQ2 would be still worse on account of the re-joinder (17) BK5.17. QQ3 PKKt3

He has no other mode of defence. If, for instance(17) , KtK5; (18) KtxKt, PxKt; (19)QxQ, etc.

18. KtxP BB4Obviously, if (18) , KxKt; (19) QxPch,KR; (20) KR would speedily decide the issue

19. KtxKtch. RxKt20. QQ2 BxB21. BKt5 (or else QxB).

with a winning advantage.


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My object, in thus diving down into the depthsof this position, is not by any means to provideyour memory with ballast. All I want to showis that the superior position will perforce becomeoverpowering,whichever turn you may try to giveto the game. And why have we got what wetermed the superior position? You see, Black'sQ side Pawns do not work, they only require pro-tection, while White's Pawns, either actively oronly as potentials of future action, are contribut-ing to White's success.

But we must not yet rest satisfied with the an-alysis. There may yet be a way of escape, atmove 11, namely,

11 BB412. KtKt3 BKt313. PQR4

The unfortunate Q side Pawns serve us again as amark for attack. Now we threaten to exchangethe Pawns, then the Rook, and to gain the QP.

13 RQKtThis move seems to be the only practicable reply,as otherwise, for instance after KtK2, QKtQ4:would become very dangerous.

14. KKtQ4 KtxKt15. KtxKt BxKt

or if (15) , BQ2; (16) PxP,PxP; (17)QQ3.16. PxB

Now we have obtained our purpose. Firstly, wehave two Bishops beautifully bearing down against


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the adverse K side; then Black's QBP is now keptbackward by our Q Pawn, and will never be ableto advance.

16 BKt3or else PB3 will win a piece.

17. PxP PxP18. RR7 PQB3KtKt4RKtK3BxBQ-Q2

A desperate attempt to free himself by (23) ,PQB4 would fail against (24) PxP, PQ5 ;(25) RQ6, RxP; (26) QQ3.

24. PB5 Kt25. QKB2

We now want our most powerful piece on the Kside.

25 K26. QR4 QKt2He must, after all, try to get something out of

his Q side.

19. PB320. RR621. BK322. PB4^3. QXB

27. PB6 PKt328. QR6 KtK329. RR3 RKKt30. BQ2 Kt31. BKt4

and Black is quite helpless.


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Again I beg to draw your attention to the dif-ference of power exerted by the White and theBlack Pawns. Taken all round you will perhapsagree with me when I declare that Black, bychoosing the defence (3) , PQR3 to theRuy I/)pez, unnecessarily damages his Q sidePawns, while the development of his pieces giveshim no compensation for that disadvantage.To relieve your chess nerves from the tensionwhich they must have undergone to-day, allow me

to introduce, as a finale, a more pleasing matter.In my match with Mr. Steinitz, that master chose,for a long while, a somewhat close defence to theRuy Lopez, beginning with (3) PQ3. Thegame usually ran as follows:

1. PK42. KtKB33. BKt54. P-Q45. KtB36. BQB4

PK4KtQB3PQ3B-Q2KKtK2


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Mr. Steinitz, the reason appearing in what fol-lows. If

7 PKKt38. BKKt5

In order to take possession of the diagonal whichBlack attempts to occupy.

8 BKt29. KtQS

attack and counter-attack.9 BxKt

Anything else would be clearly disadvantageous.Black, of course, is now under the expectationthat White will continue with (10) KtxKt, whenBxP would allow Black to get out of danger. ButWhite has a more efficient move at his disposal;

10. QxB!This is very awkward for Black. If now (10)KtxQ ; (11) KtB6ch., KB ; (12)BR6 checkmate. So nothing remains but tocastle. 10 Castles

11. KtBGch. K12. KtKt4ch. KtxQ13. BB6ch. KKt14. KtR6 checkmate.


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No. 4Gentlemen,The Evan's gambit, which in ac-

cordance with your desire I have chosen to-nightas subject of discussion, is constituted by thesefour moves:

1. PK4 PK42. KtKB3 KtQB33. BB4 BB44. PQKt4

There is no necessity for Black to accept theoffer of the Pawn. On the contrary, if he retireswith his Bishop to Kt3 in reply, he will, as White'slast move has in no way furthered his develop-ment, gain a small but distinct advantage in posi-tion. The pla}^ which would then ensue will beof the following character:

4. BKt35. PQR4 PQR36. PQB3 KtKB37. P-Q3 PQ38. Castles KtK2

soon to be followed by PQB3 and PQ4. Black'spieces are all well placed, no matter whetherWhite castles at his eighth turn to move, or de-fers that yet for some time. If White thereforesacrifices a Pawn by giving the gambit, Blacksacrifices the sure prospect of positional advan-tage by taking it.The idea of the gambit is very obvious. Wewant to continue, if BxP (or KtxP), with

5. PQB3


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and later on proceed with the advance of tlie QP,so as to obtain a very strong centre and to openseveral lines for the attack of the pieces. TheBishop can retire to either B4, R4, K2, to hisown square, or to Q3, where he is not as badlyplaced as at first sight appears. The best playerstavor BR4: or B4, with a preference for the for-mer. If we retire to B4 the Bishop may be at-tacked again by PQ4, while on the contraryBR4 counteracts that advance. On the otherhand, the Bishop at R4 will take away from theQKt an important point, from where he mightattack the White KB. But taken all around,

5 BR4seems to be the preferable move.White has now two formidable continuations.

6. P-Q4naturally suggests itself first, although it is not ofsuch lasting effect as another move which weshall consider later on.

Black will answer6 PxP7. Castles PxP

The weakest point in Black's camp is the KBP,so we follow up our attack by

8. QKt3Black can reply with either QK2 or QB3.From K2 the Q has hardly any move that is not

commanded by White's pieces, therefore8 QB39. PK5


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in the expectation of embarrassing Black's de-velopment, as neither the QP nor the KBP canadvance for the present without being taken, with-v^^ith the effect that all lines are opened up to ourpieces.

9 QKt310. KtxP KKtK2

Black.

lliiiiHlilii#1wm m.

111 n/////^,m^mWhite. .

In this position we already see that White's at-tacking moves are pretty well exhausted. Hehas only a very unsatisfactory continuation.

11. BR3


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which gives to the Bishop a long file merely inexchange for another one.

This position has been subject of analysis formany decades, and several variations have beenfound v^^hich seem to leave Black with a compar-atively safe K position and a Pawn ahead. Noneof the continuations given seem to be superior tothe one that follows.

11 BxKt(This move was suggested by Mr. Lord duringthe lecture).

12. QxB PQKt313. BQ3 QR3

Not QR4, as (14) BxKt, KxB; (15) PK6,might follow.14. KR^Q BKt2

and it is difficult to see in which way White willmake good his minus of two Pawns.This line of play, the so-called compromised

defence of the Evans gambit, leads sometimes tovery brilliant combinations. Let me give you aninstance of this at move 11 of our principal varia-tion. 11. Castles

12. QR-Q KR13. KtK4 QxKt14. BxPch K15. BKt8 PQ416. PxP e.p. KtxB17. KtKt5 QB418. QB7ch. QXQ19. KtxP mate


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Instead of (6) PQ4, the greatest connoisseurof the Evans, Mr. Tchigorin, favors (6) castles,with the object of maintaining his centre. Itcannot be doubted that this line of play is morein keeping with the original idea of the gambit.

Black, in accordance with the principles laiddown in lecture 1, must either play his QP, orhis KKt. It is usually the best policy when youare subject to a violent attack to move the QP,and when you are the aggressive party to developyour pieces first.

In the position before us6 PQ3

appears therefore to be the allowed sounder play.7. PQ4 PxP8. PxP BKt3

leads to the "normal position** of the Evans.The five Pawns that White has gathered on hisK wing against Black's four, exert a considerableamount of pressure on Black's pieces, the more soas Black will be obliged to leave his K on the dan-gerous side. It is true that Black may estab-lish three pawns to one on the other wing ; butthen it will take him a great deal of time to forcethe fighting on that side, while White's pieceswill soon be in direction and ready for assault.

Various continuations have recently been recom-mended as best for White ; but it seems to methat the old way of playing is as good as any. Theline of play usually followed by the old masters is


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41

9. PQ510. BKt211. BQ312. KtB3

KtR4KtK2PKB3Castles

Black.

im i imm.

'imH mB^ R M1 , /mm

"wKiTm

White.It is not my intention to analyze the positionby the method usually followed, of simply enum-

erating all possible variations. Such analysis, un-less it is very thorough, I contend, is quite useless.It certainly, as the experience of many centuriesindisputably shows, would by no means exclude


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42

the possibility of committing grave errors, and itusually puts into obscurity the points of view fromwhich the essential characteristics of the positionmay be deduced.Without going into details, this much is certain,

either() Black will advance his KBP to B4 ; or,(5) He will initiate an attack on the Q side withPQB4, PQR3, BB2, PQKt4, etc ; or,(c) He will be content to break up White's

strong centre by PQB3.There is indeed no other p/an de campagne to

follow.

As regards the first point, it is easily seen thatsuch an advance would not increase the defensivestrength of Black's position. It would open thefile of the White QB, the point K4 to the WhiteKts (after the exchange of the Pawns) and prob-ably facilitate the joint attack of the White KBPand KKtP.

(J)) This was the plan of defence, or rathercounter attack, in Anderssen's tierce. White willobtain the advantage in the following manner :

13. K KtKt314. Kt-Q2 PQB415. PKB4 P~QR316. KtK2 BB217. KtB3 PQKt418.19. PB5KtB4 KtK4


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48

This will represent pretty accurately the stateof affairs ten or twelve moves after the normalposition has been arrived at. It takes at leastseven moves to bring the Black Pawns to theirdestination. In the meantime, White is free toadvance his KKt Pawn in two steps to Kt5, andto open up a pernicious attack against Black's Kside.

(c) White's policy will be exactly as in (^), toadvance his KBP. If Black exchanges the QBPagainst the QP, the KP will retake, and the BlackQKt will be unfavorably situated. Black has inthis variation practically no chance of winning, inspite of his extra Pawn, while the attack of Whiteis very lasting and dangerous.

It seems then that the normal position will yieldto White much better chances of winning than itwill to Black.

If you want to simplify matters, I advise youto play

.7 BKt3At once, with the object of converting your extramaterial into positional advantage. If then (8)PxP, PxP; (9) QxQ, KtxQ; (10) KtxP,KtKB3. Black's solid Pawns and good, sounddevelopment will make it hard to White to keepup the equilibrium, as his QRP, and more so theQBP, require constant care. If, on the otherhand, (8) PxP, PxP; (9) QKt3, QB3; (10)


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uBQ5, KKtK2; (11) BKt5. QKt3; (12)QBxKt, KxKt; (13) BxKt, QxB; (14) KtxP,QK3; (15) QR3, PQB4 or KB3, withtwo Bishops, a healthy development of forces anda solid position.One of the finest games on record was played

at a time when the analysis of the Evans gambitwas not yet far advanced. It has been named*

' the evergreen partie. " The leader of the Whiteforces was Professor Anderssen.

1. PK4 PK42. KtKB3 KtQB33. BB4 BB44. PQK4 BxP5. PB3 BR46. PQ4 PxP7.

solet

Castles

:e defence.

P-Q6

8. Q-Kt3 QB39. PK5 QKt310. BR3 KKtK211. R PQKt412. BxP RQKt13. Q-R4 BKt314. QKt-Q2 BKt215. Kt~K4 QB416. BxP QR417. KtB6ch PxKt18. PxP RKt


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45Black.

1^ '?y/////M,

^ '^kjT^A ^^^ai iWhite.

19. QR-QOne of the most subtle and profound moves onrecord. 19. QxKt

20. RxKtch KtxR21. QxPch

Grand! - .21 KxQ22. BB5doublech KB323. BQTcheckmateIf at move 20 Black continues with (20) ,KQ; (21)RxPch. KB; (22) RQ8ch,KtxR;

(23) QQ7ch and mates in two more moves.


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No. 5Gentlemen,According to the request youmade to me last Monday, we shall consider to-day

the King's Bishop's gambit, which as you allknow, is constituted by these moves :1. PK4 PK42. PKB4 PxP3. BB4

If I remind you of Rule III. you will admitthat the development of the B is not in accord-ance with our fundamental principles. Actuallythe move of the KKt to B3 would be far stronger,as it leads to a fairly even game, while the KBgambit should be lost to the first player.The defence will, before all, disturb the quiet

course of White's development, by (3) ,QR5ch., to which White is bound to answerwith

4. KAccording to the principles of development,

either the QP or one of the Kts should move.White is threatening to bring forth an enormousforce in no more than three moves, to bear uponthe centre of the board, namely KtKB3,KtQB3, PQ4. Black dare not quietly submitto that, as for the moment his Q is exposed todanger. To keep the White K in his unsoundposition, to spoil the plan of White, and to aid thequick development of Black's forces, the best pol-icy is the most aggressive one, that is the oneinitiated by the sacrifice of the QP.


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4 P~Q45. BxPNow, before anything else is undertaken

5 PKKt4 !Our Bishops have two long lines ; our Kts haveonly one move to make to occupy points of im-portance, and to add to the firmness of our posi-tion. We can, therefore, spare the time for thisadvance of the KKtP, destined to protect ourKBP against all possible attack, and to renderthe K side unsafe for White's pieces.

6. KtKB3 QR47. PKR4 BKt2

An excellent reply. The Bishop not only protectsthe Rook, but guards the two centre points, Q4(Q5), K5 (K4).

8. PQ4 PKR39. KKt QKt3

10. KtQB3 KtK2So far, everything went all right, because Whiteconsistently played for the development of hisminor pieces. Now it becomes apparent that theWhite QR is awkwardly placed, and the QB noless. The K position need not give any anxiety,but the Q has somehow no good prospects of ser-ving her cause. At the same time, Black is quitesafethere is only one weak point in his camp,the KBPand any possible attacks of the Whiteminor pieces in the centre are obviated by theclever sacrifice of the fourth move.


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48

Black.

illW4 t WM 'MB Liil^lli^^^^'^^''"''^^8^

1^ ^.'p^'

ill II A 111 IM^. ^^i^Fm'?^^"^W

?^, fe^^X-'^p '^'"'"

^White.

11. Q-Q3preparatory to BQ2

1112. BKt3 PQB3BKt5 !

Here the QB has a splendid position safe of all


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49

possible attack by inferior pieces and with R4 as asafe retreat.

13. BQ2 KtQ214. KB2 Castles Q side

All the weakness of the White game becomesnow at once apparent . His K and QP are ex-posed to the most direct attack of the hostile Rand Kts, and KB. Try what he may the day isgone. Black threatens BxKt and KtK4. If(15) KtK2, KtQB4 wins directly. If (15)PxP, PxP; (16) RxR, BxR the danger isnot obviated. If finally (15) QB4, BxKt; (16)PxB,KtK4; (17)PxKt, RxBch.; (18) KK,KRQ; (19)QxP, QxQ; (20)BxQ, BxP;(21) BKt3, BxKt; (22) PxB, KtKt3, fol-lowed by KtK4, is at least one way of obtaininga great advantage.

Let us return to move 11, and vary White'splay.

11. PK5 PQB312. BK4 BKB413. QK2 KtQ214. BxB KtxB

White is obliged to undertake some kind of attack,or Black will Castle Q side, and the breakdownof White's centre will be practically certain.

15. KtK4 PKKt6


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50

Now at last, this advance is justified, because theQP has lost its protection by the Q16. KtQ6ch. K17. KtxKt PxKt

and wins a piece or (17) PR5, PxKt or (17)KtK, QxKt ; (18) PxKt, BxPch., and shouldwin.We must therefore come to the conclusion that

the KB gambit is unsound. I will not pretendthat there is any right and wrong in Chess froman ethical standpoint, but by what right shouldWhite, in an absolutely even position, such asafter move 1, when both sides have advancedPK4, sacrifice a Pawn, whose recapture is quiteuncertain, and open up his K side to attack ? Andthen follow up this policy by leaving the check ofthe Black Queen open ? None whatever ! Theidea of the gambit, if it has any justification, canonly be to allure Black into the too violent andhasty pursuit of his attack. If, therefore, we canobtain by sound and consistent play, the superior-ity of position, common sense triumphs overtrickery, and rightly so.When the analytical and theoretical knowledge

of Chess was not so far advanced as at the presenttime, famous players frequently chose the livelyforms of development which are the outcome ofgambits. One of these games, though unsoundin the highest degree, has been of such excep-

I


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61

tionally brilliant character that it was honored bythe players of the time with a special name. Weknow it as "The Immortal Partie." Here itsmoves follow :White. BI.ACK.

Anderssen. Kieseritzky.1. PK4 PK42. PKB4 PxP3. BB4 QR5ch.4. K PQKt45. BxP KtKB36, KtKB3 QR37. PQ3 KtR48. KtR4 PQB39. KtB5 QKt4

10. PKKt4 KtB311. RKKt PxB12. PKR4 Q-Kt313. PR5 Q-Kt414. QB3 KtKt15. BxP QB316. KtB3 BB417. Kt-Q5

I have not dwelt on the constant violation ofprinciple by Black. The consequence of his im-aginative schemes is that none of his pieces aredeveloped ; and here White could have smashedBlack up by advancing first PQ4.17 QxP

18. BQ6


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52

Black.rw^'^

ill ,: i i ill ,.iJ B^^1 ^^///////?//

illm.^ 'mm.1 ^ Sl

A fine coup. Whitb.1819. KK220. PK5

QxRch.BxRObstructing the line from QR8 to KKt2. A glor-ious finish.

20 Kt--QR321. KtxPch. K22. QB6ch. KtxQ23. BK7 checkmate


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No. 6.Gentlemen,As you have expressed the desire

to have one of the close openings discussed, I havechosen to-night as subject of discussion the popu-lar and important French defence, which ariseswhen Black replies toWhite's PK4 with PK3.

1. PK4: PK3This defence had for a long time the reputation ofleading to a dull kind of game. In later years ithas been found that it gives opportunities for agreat many violent attacks of a character whichit is difficult to obtain in any other opening.The difference between Black's first move PK3 and the other PK4, commonly chosen, is

twofold. The Pawn at K3 blocks the long diag-onal of the Black QB reaching up to KR6, whichis, I might say, almost naturally open to him. Onthe other hand, in the ordinary games which openwith PK4 on each side, the White KB can takeup a very strong diagonal from QB4 pointingtowards the initially weakest point in Black'scamp, the square KB2. This line also is obstructed.These two peculiarities give to the French defencea character of its own, which, with good play onthe part of White, it should never lose.The move, which gives to the White pieces asmuch freedom as can be obtained in one single

move, is2. PQ4And just so on the part of Black.2 ^ P-Q4As early as this, opinions"greatly differ as to the


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64

best continuation to be chosen by White. Theattack has namely the choice

a. To sacrifice the KP.b To exchange it.c. To advance it.d. To guard it.

{a) May be at once dismissed. If we play (3)KtKB3, PxP ; (4) KtKt5, this may lead toa tricky game, but with sound and energetic playon the part of Black, a great advantage ought toaccrue to the second player. (


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55

4. KtKB3 KtKB35. BQ3 BQ36. Castles Castles7. BKKt5 BK38. QKt-Q2 QKt-Q29. R R

10. KtK5 KtBor 10. PB3 Kt

11. Q~B2 PB312. RK2 Q-B213. BxKt PXB14. QR-K KtKt315. PKKt3When the advantage of the doubled Rooks on the

open file is counterbalanced by the strong positionof the two Black Bishops, and Black may evenhave, on account of the somewhat questionableexchange at move 13, the superior game.A game well worth knowing is the one playedby Blackburne against Scbwarz in Berlin, 1881.(1) PK4, PK3; (2) PQ4, PQ4; (3) PxP,PXP ; (4) KtKB3, BQ3 ; (5) BQ3, KtKB3; (6) Castles, castles; (7) BKKt5, BKKt5; (8) KtB3, KtB3 ; (9) BxKt, QxB.White is greedy to win a Pawn, and voluntarilyexchanges B v. pinned Ktalways a great mis-take. (10) KtxP, QR3; (11) PKR3,KtxP, and Black (Blackburne) won easily, asWhite's K position is exposed.The want oifinesse in variation {h) is accounted

for by the Pawn position. The Pawn at Q4 takesaway a good square from the KKt ; it blocks thefile of the B from K3 to R7, or from QB3 to


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56

KKt7 ; it further obstructs the Q file. If the twoPawns on the Q file could by some means be ex-changed, the position would assume a very differ-ent character. As it is they are never to be gotrid of, unless with the friendly assistance of youropponent.

{d) The strongest move that comes under thisheading is (3) KtQB3. A custom has latelysprung up of posting this Kt at Q2, where itobstructs the QB and the Q. A good replyagainst such sickly policy is always to open up alllines quickly ; for instance, in the given case toadvance PQB4. To the move actually chosenBlack's answer is, as a rule

3 Kt--KB3Now most players choose as continuation4. BKKt5A move unquestionably against the rules of de-velopment, to which Black ought to reply by

4. PxP5. KtxP PK26. BxKt PxB7. KtKB3 PKB48. KtKt3 P-QB4

And Black will have a very good game.The better play is the more audacious one,

4. PK5 KKtQ25. PKB4

According to one of Mr. Steinitz's principles,which is, whenever you advance your Pawn toK5, back it up by PKB4 as soon as possible.


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67

6. PxP PQB4This exchange of Pawns is imperative. In formeryears White invariably tried, in close games, tokeep his P at Q4 by backing it up by PQB3.This policy has the two great disadvantages thatit leaves a weak Pawn at Q4 open to attack, andthat it opens a file (the QB file) for the interven-tion of the Black Rooks.

BlvACK.

nan i. ^^i m0^M ^^m>-11 iH^H i 11 i^ ^

m ^mm Pi mm1 i'^miM '^///////^ ^Q^Whitk.


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68

6 BxP7. QKt4 Castles8. BQ3 KtQB39. KtB3

White now threatens the sacrifice, which is socommon in close games, that of B against RP.9 PKB410. QR3 KtKt5

11. PKKt4White has only one aimto make play on the Kside, while the development of the Black QB isyet unaccomplished. He therefore does not loseany time by advancing the QRP, and has now afine attacking game. Assume for instance

11. KtxBch.12. PxKt KtKt313. P-Q4 BKt514. RKKt Q-B215. BQ2 KtB516. P-R3 KtxB17. KxKtA^hil:e game is aItogether prefer11. KtKt312. PQR3 KtxBch.13. PxKt BQ214. PQKt4 BK215. Kt-Q4


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To make an6tlier attempt11 QKt312. PxP KtxBch.13. PxKt RxP14. KtxP

and should win.If, then, Black is reduced at move 9 to the

necessity9. PKR3

White can, nevertheless, pursue the policy ofaggression by immediately adv^ancing his KKtP.

10. PKKt4To take advantage of the opportunity thus offeredof opening up the adverse K side.

Black may strengthen his defence at move 66 KtQB37. PQR3 BxP

The Pavi^n must Ije taken now, as otherwise PQKt4 will save it. To capture it with Kt doesnot appear to be superior, as the Kt is not ver}^happily placed at B4, and obstructs the KB some-what.

8. QKt4 CastlesHere Black may defend himself by PKKt3,when a very difficult game will ensue, in which,however, the Black K side Pawns will furnishWhite with good objects of attack.

9. B03 PQR3


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00

It is difficult to suggest a different line of play.Black must do something to bring the White Qside under a certain pressure, as otherwise Whitewould gratuitously obtain a good K side attack.The advance of the QRP and the QKtP seem tobe the only means of accomplishing that purpose.

10. KtKB3threatening BxPch.

10 PKB411. QR3 PQKt412. PKKt4 PKKt313. QKt3A very important manoeuvre, but it is difficult to

say whether this move, or QKt2, will, in thethe end prove superior.

13 KAgain it is hard to find out better play, as Whitethreatens to obtain a passed K Pawn by PxP.

14. PKR4with a first rate attack.

I think you will agree with the proposition thatI have to lay down, viz., that (3) KtKB3 sub-jects the defence to a difficult game. As a goodreply to (3) KtQB3 I advise you to choose thefollowing continuation

3. PxP4. ktxp' KtKB35. KtKt3 PQB46. KtB3 KtB37. BK3 QKt3


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61

or, 5. BQ3 PQB46. PxP BxP7. KtxB QR4ch^8. PB3 QxKt9. BK3 QB2

10. KtB3 KtB311. Castles PQKt3

It is dangerous to Castle into the two B files ; soBlack first brings out his BKt2, R to Q square,and waits with moving his King until White hasspent some of his accumulated ''potential force"(gathered in the centre). You may vary yourtactics at move 5 by playing : (5) KtB3 ; (6) PQB3, PK4 with a good.game.One word about close games in general. The

rules of quick development, as laid down in lecture1, require one amendment, viz., do not obstructyour QBP by your QKt (unless you wish to openthe game at once by PK4), and advance thatPawn as early as you can to QB4.After the Easter holidays we shall discuss thegeneral principles of the remaining parts of thegame, when much that has been said hitherto, willobtain a different and a deeper meaning.


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Nos. 7 and 8Gentlemen,So far we have considered the firstpart of a game of Chess, called the opening, andusually embracing about a dozen moves. The

object of development is, as we have seen, to getthe pieces into action, and to place them on favor-able lines, in order to have them at hand whenyou intend to make them " work." The processof making pieces in chess do something useful(whatever it may be) has received a special nameit is called the attack. The attack is that processby means of which you remove obstructions. That isso in every fight, whether it be a battle, or a fightwith swords, or a boxing encounter, this defini-tion will always apply.

Let us compare the game of Chess to some otherfightfor instance, to a battle. Two armies op-posite each other are attempting to destroy, or atleast to frighten each other. The armies, if abouteven in numbers, and also as far as favorable posi-tion is concerned, will each have a superiority insome quarter which will enable them not only tohold their opponents there in check, but also todrive them out of their position. Three thingsdetermine whether an attack should be made, and,if so, in which manner. First of all the proper-


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tion of the attacking force to that directly oppos-ing it in numbers ; secondly the nature of thesurroundings ; thirdly the relation of the forcesengaged to the rest of the army.The third consideration will influence the time

in which the attack must be executed, whetherrapidly (if the advent of reserve force must underall circumstances be avoided) or step by step; inother words, it determines whether we shouldmake it our object to economize in time, or inmaterial force at our disposal.The surroundings will, in part, add to the de-

fensive strength of our opponents, and in part takeaway from it. Their character will determinewhich part of the hostile force is exposed to theeffect of our weapons, and which is shielded ;where we can advance with comparative safety,and which part of the ground we have to traverserapidly, in other terms, which are weaknesses tobe assailed, and which our strong points towardswhich to advance. The first consideration willtell us whether, after we have gained, by themethodical destruction of the obstacles in our way,a position of advantage, we are able to destroy ordrive away the opposing force ; or whether theobject of our attack, if obtained, is a sufficientcompensation for the lives sacrificed. If, in anykind of fight, the rules for attack are laid down,the three things mentioned must be studied.

In Chess the soldiers are the men and the gen-eral is the mind of the player. If anything that


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is subject to the possibility of an attack be a weakpoint, all men, and especially the King and theheavy pieces (Queen and Rooks), would be suchwe shall, howe\er, call a weakness only suchpieces, or group of pieces, as in proportion totheir importance, have a defect in defensivestrength, for instance : a Queen, that has only avery limited range of action, or a Pawn that can-not advance nor yet be protected by other Pawns.A weak point is a squarenot necessarily occupiedwhich can only be attacked by heavy pieces likethe Queen or the Rooks, so that Pawns. Knightsand Bishops, or eventually also Rooks, protectedby other men, are there quite safe. Our oppon-ent's weak points we shall name strong points,speaking from our point of view. If we can oc-cupy a strong point by one of our pieces, whichhas from there a large sphere of action, the battleis often half decided in our favor.

Obstructions in Chess are pieces of minor im-portance which intercept the lines of action of ourmen. It is, as a rule, easier to remove them whenthey are hostile men, because we may threatenthem by so many of our own pieces that we canfinally safely capture them ; it is different when,for instance, one of our own Pawns, blocked byone of the Pawns or pieces of the enemy, standsin our way ; and worse still when this Pawn isisolated ; the only way of removing it by forceconsists then usually in placing a piece under theprotection of this Pawn, and forcing the exchangeof that piece.

Let us now consider the initial position. The


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ultimate object of every attack in Chess is givenbeforehandit is the capture by force of the hos-tile King. For that purpose we must commandnine squares, the eight around the King and theone he occupies ; we can reduce that number onlyby driving the King to the edge of the board, orby forcing his own pieces to obstruct his escape.Finally, the checkgiving piece must not be liableto capture, nor must any of the hostile pieces beable to intercept its line of attack. This is the"work to be done," and it is enormous, consider-ing the large amount of force gifted with capacityto capture and obstruct, at the enemy's disposal.This task is still made more difficult l3y the otherone which you have to performto protect yourown King against your opponent's assaults.The Chess world went about the task thus vol-

untarily undertaken, and attempted to solve theproblem involved by the humanly most directmethod ; it simply tried it, piling variation onvariation, correcting and re-correcting them, for,say, two thousand years. Many beautiful gameswere played, and startling discpveries made, butthe real problem was never solved. And why,may we ask, have for so long a time the exertionsof the best brains of the human race continuallyfailed? There is one answer whose cogency isirresistible, an answer whose truth seems to beproved by experience beyond doubt, viz., there isno solution, and for this reason, the resources oneach side are so evenly balanced that the triflingadvantage of the first move is not sufiicient toforce the defence to resignation.


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66

This admitted, we must begin, before enteringupon our task, with the supposition that the in-itial position has been differentiated to such anextent that the win of the game becomes possibleto the one or other party. After having grantedthis much the problem is transformed, and it as-sumes the following shape : the balance of posi-tion and forces has at least been partly disturbed,and to checkmate the King of the inferior forcebecomes a feasible achievement.Whether a nearly balanced position allows a

forced win to the one or the other party dependsusually on the slightest differences, so much so,indeed, that it would be a hopeless undertaking tosearch for certain rules, or a mathematical formulathat would give you its solution without the ap-plication of intellectual power in each special case.The question involved is of such a complicatednature that the only way to obtain an answer isto divide the board into parts, to analyze the par-tial questions by the experimental method, and tofinally draw the sum total of all the answers.Now, given a position in Chess, where, on the

one wing (for instance the K side) we have thesuperiority, on another (the Q side, or the centre)we may be at a disadvantage, but where, on thewhole, onr advantage is prevailing ; in what man-ner are we to make capital out of that superiority ?The answer depends, of course, on the analysis ofthe position; but if this analysis is methodical itwill greatly acquire clearness and sharpness, andthe mental labor required will be reduced to aminimum.


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The moves in Chess are of three kinds, theyare either(a) Developing, i.e., bringing new force into

play.(d) Attacking, i.e., making pieces threaten

the hostile men, give a check, threaten acheckmate, etc , in other words, makingpieces do something, or work,(c) Serving defensive purposes, i.e. givingprotection to a weak point, obstructingan important line, etc., in other wordsundoing the work of the hostile men.

What kind of move is required is determinedby the exigencies of the position. If you have alarge superiority of force in a quarter where theenemy has important weaknesses, like the Kingor the Queen in a bad position, etc., you mustassail quickly. Every one of your moves mustbe intended to do much. Your reserve force mustbe made useful for the attack with as much gainof time as possible by attacking, for instance,some weaknesses while on the way and thereserve forces of the opponent must be kept back,if possible, by obstructions that you can place intheir way (think of Morphy's Pawn sacrifices forthat purpose). The devices are manifold, butthe variations, on account of the many forcedmoves on the part of the defence, are usually few,and therefore subject to direct analysis. Of suchattacks we say that their * ' pace ' ' is quick.

All the games given (especially the French de-fence of the previous lecture) have containedattacks of quick pace. Here follows another.


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Bl,ACK.m

immm mAM P

M^rs^

^^_^iWhite.

The game (International Tournament, Amsterdam) went on1. KtR5 KtxKt2. BxPch. KxB3. QxKtch. KKt4. BxP KxB5. QKt4ch. KR26. RB3 PK47. RR3ch. QR38. RxQch. KxR9. QQ7 BKB3


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10. QXB KKt211. RKB QRKt12. Q-Q7 KR-Q13. QKt4cli. K14. PxP BKt215. PK6 RKt216. Q-Kt6 PB317. RxPch. BxR18. QxBch. K19. QR8ch. KK220. QKt7ch.

aud wins.When your superiority is not clearly defined,you must be satisfied with attacking in a moder-

ate pace, advancing on your strong points, andmethodically creating new ones near your op-ponent's line of defence Then \.\\q plan is every-thing, and the time a matter of secondary impor-tance (compare the 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th gamegiven in these lectures). Generally the **pace"of your attack must slacken down, the less pro-nounced your advantage is. A very good playerwill seldom give you opportunities for violent andshort attacks, which require an amount of actingforce that is often underrated.Some of Morphy's games :

1. PK4 PK42. PKB4 PxP3. BB4 P-Q44. PxP BQ35. KtQB3 KtKB36. P-Q4 Castles7. KKtK2 PB6


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BI.ACK.

Hi i mm mm i fit i^ ^ Q ^

i ^e.@Pi ^Wa^^-^WMM, ^ii^ P W^ kWM'iM. i^^^^> *^:%M % WZ'^M^'^.

wmi ^M^^V//77777/// ^?7777>7^;^ ^ W/////A

Whits.The White King stands in an unobstructed file,

so Morphy sacrifices his Pawn to prevent theKing from castling with safety. It will be re-marked that after the sacrifice the defensive powerof the White KR and KB Pawn becomes veryweak, both of these Pawns being isolated.

8. PxP9. PKR4 KtR4


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It would have been better to defend by a de-veloping move, such as (9) BK3, when the fol-lowing play might ensue (9) , RK; (10)QQ2, QK2; (11) KtK4, BKB4 ; (12)By3.

9 R10. KtK4

Occupying one of White's strong points, only to beattacked by tie KBP or QB, therefore an excel-lent obstruction.

10 BKt6ch.11. KQ2 BQ312. K-^B3

Here he unnecessarily exposes himself to newdangers. PB3 would have provided a saferetreat to the King.

12 PQKt4Quickly opening up all the lines on the side whichthe White King has chosen as refuge.

13. BxP PQB3Now he threatens QR4ch, so he indirectly

forces White to remove the well posted Kt fromK4.

14. KtxB QxKt15. BR4 BR316. R KtQ217. PKt3 KtKt318. BxP QR


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Every one of Black's pieces has now long openfiles, in consequence of the energetic attackingmanoeuvres of the last six moves.

19. KQ2Black threatened to win a piece by Kt or Qtakes Pawn, KKt2 would have lost immed-

iately on account of (19) BxKt; (20)RxB, RxR; (21) QxR, KtR5ch. , either win-ning the Queen or checkmating the King in thenext move J

19 RxB20. PxR BxKt21. RxB QxPch.22. K ' QKtSch.23. ,KQ2 RQch.24. KB3 QB4ch.25. K-Kt2 KtR5ch.

(26) resigns, for if PxKt, QKtSmate; if KKt, (26) KtB6ch., winning first the Queen andthen the Rook.

His famous game against Paulsen in the NewYork Tournament runs as follows :White BlackPaulsen Mcrphy

1. PK4 PK42. KtKB3 KtQB33. KtB3 KtB34. BKt5 BB45. Castles Castles6. KtxP R7. KtxKt


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This capture only develops Black. It wouldhave been quite as good to retire with the Kt toB3 and to follow this up, if (7) , KtxP by(8) P-Q4.

7 QPxKt8. BB4 PQKt49. BK2

The Black Pawns by thus advancing do not ofcourse gain in defensive strength, but Black is sofar ahead in development that White will neverbe able to take advantage of that weakness.

9 KtxP10. KtxKt RxKt11. BB3

If here (11) PQB3, which looks at first sightstronger, then Black will assail the castled King,which for the present is the only support of theKR and KKt Pawn. The game mi^ht proceed(11) , QR5; (12) PKKt3, Q~R6 ;(13) BB3, RR5 ; (14) PxR. BQ3 ; or (12)PQ4, B03; (13) PKKt3, QR6 ; (14)PKB4, BQ2; (15) BB3, RK2 ; whenBlack will double his Rooks on the K file andobtain a sound position with many attackingpossibilities.

11 RK312. PB3

A somewhat elaborate process for so simple anobject. First, PQ3 was the proper play.

12 Q-Q6


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This is one of the rare cases, in which a heavy-piece hke the Queen can with success be used forthe purpose of obstruction. The Queen cannotbe attacked in her present situation by any hostileman but exerts a considerable amount of pressure,preventing, for instance, such moves as QB2 orBK2.

13. PQKt4 BKt314. PQR4 PxP16. QXP B-Q216. RR2

This move may serve as a preparation for QB2.White evidently is beginning to feel the restraintwhich he suffers through the blockade of his QPby the adverse Queen. His plan, however, is frus-trated by Black, whose attack has already becomeripe for a decisive blow. If (16) QR6 instead.Black's best reply seems to be (16) , QB4; (17) PQ4, QRK ; (18) BK3, PQB4; (19) KtPxP, BxP ; (20) QR5.?, RKKt3, with a winning advantage, for if (21) KR, QxB, (22) PxQ, BB3, leaves White help-less ; therefore Whitens best would be (20) QK2, BKt3; (21) BKt4, RxB; (22) BxQ,RxQ; (23)BxB with an even ending.

16 QRThe strongest move for development and simul-

taneously for attack . Black threatens now QXRch17. QR6


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Black.

IMHiHi/////////. V////////Ay////^iy//. _ mWfi.

1 1 '"mm.

"^^ '^i ^ ^ PRi@lWhite.

17 QxBAn effective, surprising, and beautiful coup.18. PxQ RKtSch.19. K BR6

Black threatens BKt7ch., followed by BxPmate. RKKt is no safeguard, as after the ex-change of the Rooks the QR will checkmate him.Nor would (20) QQ3 mend matters, as Blackwill answer with PKB4, and if then (21) QB4ch., by KB.


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20. R BKtTch.21. KKt BxPch.22. K BKtTch.

He might have decided the issue by RKt7, withthe double threat RxPch., etc., and RxRP.

23. KKt BR6ch.24. K BxP25. QHis only resource.25 BxQ26. RxB RK7

Again binding the hostile QP to his post.27. R RR328. PQ4At last !28 BK629. Resigns, for if (29) BxB, R (R3)xPch. (30) KKt, RKt7

checkmate.Let us now pass over to more recent times.

White.Anderssen.

Black.Steinitz.

1. PK42. KtKB33. BKt54. PQ35. BxKtch,

PK4KtQB3KtB3PQ3This exchange is decidedly uncalled for. Black*QR gains thereby an open file, as well as the QB.


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White has no compensation whatever ; for tospeak in the early stage of a game of the weak-ness of a double Pawn or an isolated Pawn for endgame purposes is nothing but a chimera.

5 PxB6. PKR3 PKt3

Black has already the advantage, and can there-fore afford to lose a move for development, whichwill later on support his plan of attack.

7. KtB3 BKKt28. Castles Castles9. BKt5 PKR3

10. BK3 PB4An excellent coup. Black's plan, as will be seen,is to make the fighting on the K side with hisPawns ; he therefore keeps the White QP back,to preserve the obstructions in the centre.

11. RKtIt would have been much more to the interest ofWhite to forestall the imminent attack, for in-stance, by (11) QQ2, KR2 ; (12) PKKt4,KtKt ; (13) KtR2, PB4 ; (14) PB3.11. Kt

12. PQKt4 PxP18. RxP P-QB414. RR4 B-Q215. RR3 PB4

The White K Pawn, which intercepts the B filefrom QB3, blocks the KP and holds back the QP,dare not be removed. It is, therefore, an excel-lent object of attack.


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16. QKt K17. QKt7 PQR418. RKt PR519. Q-Q5 Q-B

White's game suffers of want of design. Thereis no possible object in all this manoeuvring of theheavy pieces. His policy should have bten oneof defence, which he might conduct on, theKtR2, PKB3 a.s.o. , and perhaps successfully.

20. RKtG RR2In order to have his Queen free for the followingthreat (21) PB5 ; (22) BQ2, BxP(23) PxB, QxP ; (24) KtR2, PB6, etc.

21. KR2 PB522. BQ2 PKt4:23. Q-B4 Q-Q24. RKt KtB325. KKt KtR2

The RP shall advance and then the KtP, to befollowed by KtKt4, where the Kt will have inconjunction with his advanced Pawns, a command-ing sway. Mark how carefully all this is prepared.No strong point is left to the White party in therear of the Black Pawns, nor in front of them,during the whole of the tedious process.

PR4PKt5PxPQR5KtKt4Q~R7

26. K27. KtKt28. PxP29. PB330. Kt31. BK


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Black.

White.Here we have the beau ideal of the concluding

stages of a King side attack supported by a chainof Pawns. If PxP, all the lines are opened byPB6 with tremendous effect. White cannotmuch improve his position, as his pieces have nospace to execute any movements. So Black hasany amount of time to prepare the finishing stroke.

32. PQ4: PxBP33. KtPxP KtR634. BB2 KtxKt35. PxBP


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Of course, if (35) BxKt, BR6ch, wins.35 QRGch.36. K

or (36) KxKt, BKB3 the White King beingquite helpless.

36 KtxPch.37. RxKt QxRand Black won easily a few moves later.

Do not overlook how the apparently unimport-ant sixth move on the part of White was the realreason of all the trouble that he had to undergo'^^^^- Whitk. Black.

Steinitz. Zuckertort.1. BK4 PK42. KtKB3 KtQB33. P-Q4 PxP4. KtxP KtB3

According to our rules this shouldstrongest reply. It certainly is a movanswers all purposes.

5. KtQB3 BKt56. KtxKt KtPxKt7. BQ3 P-Q48. PxP PxP9. Castles Castles

10. B KKt5 PB311. KtK2 BQ312. KtKt3

be thee that

The Kt occupies a square which White would dobetter to reserve for the Bishop. (12) KtQ4seems therefore preferable.12 PKR8

13. BQ2


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Black.JM,


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82

, PKB4: ; (17) BB4, BB4 ; (18)RK, PKKt4; (19) BK3, BxB ; (20)PxB, PB5, with an excellent attack; or even(16) BQ2 will give him a lasting attack, difi&-cult to meet.

17. RK^ BR318. BB3 PKB419. RK8 QR20. Q-Q2Now he threatens QQ4, or the doubling ofthe Rooks on the open file ; but mark how finely

Black frustrates all this.20 PQ521. BR5

Of course he cannot take the Pawn withoutlosing a piece.

21 RQ222. RxB RxR23. BKt4 QB324. R RQ425. BxR QxB26. KtR5 Q27. KtB4 RK4

Black is first to take the open file a great ad-vantage, which White should not have yielded atmove 26. gg. PKR4 PB429. PR5

This manoeuvre with the RP, which shall makethe position of the Kt unassailable, is misplaced.The RP exposes itself only to the attack of theBishop. 29 RK6

30. PQB3


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This unnecessary advance is the principal rea-son of the speedy conclusion that follows. Black'splay from now to the end is admirably consistentand strong.

3031. PKKt332. KtKt633. KtB434. PKt3

QKtQ-K4Q-Q3P-Q6If (34) KtxP, BxKt; (35) QxB, RK8ch.,wins the Rook or Queen.

34 PB535. RKt KR236. KR2 QQKt3

First rate ; he now threatens RK7.37. KKt38. RKt239. PB340. QB241. KR2

BKt2QB3QB4ch.RK8ch.or (41) KKt2, RK6.

4142. RxQ

QxQBxPDecisive. The QP must now win.

43. PKKt4 BK7and Black won a few moves later.

If we glance critically overwe find two rules confirmed the games given,(i.) Don't attack unless you have some tang-

ible superiority, either in the stronger working ofyour pieces, or in longer reach.Corollary : If you do the re-action will place


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84

your army in a critical position, and the inevit-able counter attack will find you in disorder.

(ii.) Let it be the first object of your attack tocreate strong points as near your opponent's campas possible, and occupy them with pieces whichhave from there a large field of action.

Corollary : Try to force your opponent's Pawnsto advance on the side where you attack.

White. Black.Dr. Noa. Dr. Tarrasch.

1. PK4 PK42. KtKB3 KtQB33. BKt5 KtB34. Castles KtxP5. R KtQ36. BR4 BK27. KtxP KtxKt8. RxKt Castles

Now Black's development is excellent, and thePawn position unassailable.9. P-Q4 KtB5

10. R PQ4:11. PQB3White has no time for such amove. (11) B

Kt3, KtR4; (12) KtB3, KtxB ; (13) RPxB. BQ3; (14) QB3, PQB3 ; (15) BB4,is a sounder line of play.

11 BKB4Immediately bearing down on the weak points ofWhite, Q3, QB2.


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86

12. KtQ2 KtxKt13. BxKt BQ314. QR5 BKt315. QR3

This manoeuvre has not much point. (14) BQB2 is more to the purpose.15 PQB3

From here to the end Black's play is simplyclassical. Mark how how finely Black will com-bine the advantage resulting from the weak posi-tion of the White Queen, the slight weakness con-tained in the loose and ineffective positions of theWhite Bishops, his own strongly posted QB, andthe lack of protection of the White QKtP for ahighly logical and successful attack.

16. RK2 QKt317. BKt3 PQR4Capital ! Developing the QR, dislodging the

obstruction, and keeping the QKtP in its unsafeposition.

18. BK3 PR519. B KRK20. R PKB4Grand ! He forces White to advance either theKKtP or KBP. In the latter case K5 becomes a

very strong point, in the former the Q is ob-structed, and the P position weakened.

21. PKB4 RK222. QRB2 QR23. B QKt4preventing QQ3, and again bearing down onthe central weak points of the White game.


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24. QB3 QB525. PQR3 RK526. PKKt3 PB4

To get his reserve force, the KB, into play.27. RxR BPxR28. QK3 QQ629. QxQ PxQ30. RB2 PKt431 BQ2 BK2 .,32. PB5 BB233. R PxP34. PxP BB335. BQB3 RK536. B~B3 BxPch.37. KKt2

A mistake. (37) BxB, RxB ; (38) RQ is byfar the preferable policy.37 BxB

Energetic and decisive, but not very difficult toforsee.

38. BxR PxB39. PxB BKtG

and White resigns, for after (40) KB2, PQ7;(41) K^K2, B~B5ch. he will lose his Rook.One of my Match Games of 1892.

White. Black.Lasker. Blackburne.

1. P-Q4 P-Q42. KtKB3 KtKB33. PB4 PK34. KtB3 QKt-Q25. BB4 PB3


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On account of the last move which is more or lessforced (not to allow QKtKt5) the developmentchosen by Black is not advisable.

6. PK3 KtR47. B Kt5 BK28. BxB QxB9. BQ3 PKKt3.0. QK2 Castles1. Castles K side PKB4Attacks on the K side in this opening have usual -

ly little hope of success. An inspection of theposition will show that the K side does not pre-sent weaknesses that could be assailed. The fightis, therefore, in the centre and on the Q side.

12. KR QKtB313. QR BQ214. KtK5 BK15. QB2

Black has, with his 11th move, stopped the ad-vance of the White KP. The White Q is there-fore now available for the Q*s wing.

15. R-Q16. PQR3 Kt-Q217. KtB3 KtKt218. R

White intends a Q side attack ; and, therefore,makes first preparations to take advantage of anyforward movement that Black might undertake onthe K side, beginning with PB5.

18. KtB319. PQKt4 KtK520. KtK5 KtxKt


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21. QxKt KtR422. PQR4 KtB323. PKt5 KtQ224. KtB3 PxBP

White threatened now PB5, followed by PR5 and PR6, to establish a dangerous passedPawn at B5.25. QxP KtKt326. QKt3 PxP27. PxP BB228. KtK5 R29. R

The object of White's attack was to keep theQRP back, which is now indefensible.29 R30. RK2 KR31. KRR2 Q~B232. PKt3 QB633. QxQ RxQ34. RxP RxR35. RxR RB2

The attack has now succeeded. White has theadvantage of a Pawn plus on the K side. Whatremains is to convert this into positional super-ioritynot an easy process, as still there are hard-ly any assailable points in the Black camp.

36. K B37. KK2 K38. KQ2 KK239. RR3 KQ340. PB3 R41. PK4 RB2


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42. R R43. PR4 RB244. R-QKtRS3 R45. KK246. PR5

The decisive manoeuvre. If the P is taken, thetwo isolated RPs will be a splendid object of at-tack, well worth the sacrifice.

46 KB347. PxP PxP48. RKR KKt2

Here, after some manoeuvres to complete thethird hour (we played eighteen moves an hour)the game went on at move 55, the position beingunchanged.

55. PKt4 PxKtP56. PxP RQR57. PKt5

threatening KtKt4B6. And so on.57 RR658. KQ2 RR7ch.59. KK3 RR660. KB4 KtQ261. BB4 Kt62. RQB

The finishing stroke. The Rook will now entervia B7 into the Black camp.

. 62 RR463. BQ3 BxP64. RB5

and White won easily.


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No. 9Gentlemen,The principles of defence will be

the subject of out lecture to-night.If the attack is the process through which ob-

structions are brought out of the way, the defenceis the art of strengthening them, of giving firm-ness to your position, and of averting the blowdirected against you. When your position is notinferior to that of your opponent, and he never-theless makes preparations to attack you, disre-gard them altogether, develop reserve forces,avoid his attack by the slightest defensive move-ment possible (like a first-rate boxer, who in thenick of time and with an almost imperceptiblemovement evades the blow) and institute a quickcounter action. When you, however, have beenunfortunate enough to compromise yourself, togive your opponent an undeniable reason for,and tangible object of attack (which may occurto the best and most cautious player, as the resultof an unsuccessful attack) you have to act verydifferently.

Also here common sense tells us exactly how toproceed. Every position will comprise pointswhich are exposed to the action of the hostileforces and other points which are well guarded.An attack will direct itself in the first instance


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against your weakest pointsfor instance againstthe KRP and KKtP after Castling, or against a Ktat B3, etc. You will, therefore, first of all, vacuatethese points, if they are occupied by men of greatimportance, the Queen, or Rook, for instance, andalso frequently a Knight and a Bishop; secondly,you will have to give them support; place thesupport in points which are not easily accessibleby the enemy. The rest of your army is best em-ployed in engaging the reserve force of the enemythat is, such force which it will take him timeand labor to utilize for the purposes of his attack.The object of your opponent's attack is, gener-

ally speaking, to change the position of your menin a certain quarter by force. Abstain fromchanging it voluntarily, except for most forciblereasons. This is where most chess players fail.In order, for instance, to avoid the approach of aKt or Bishop to Kt5, they advance the RP to R3,losing a move, and besides, as a general rule, im-pairing the strength for purposes of defence of thechain of Pawns on the wing ; or they advance theKKt Pawn to Kt3, to drive a Kt away posted atKB4, which, howeve: well placed, is usually nothalf as dangerous as this move ; or they retire apiece, because it may be driven away. Wait withall such moves until your antagonist has expendedsome time, material position, etc.well, call it,taken altogether, some of the ''power" at hisdisposalon them.

For the rest your defensive movements must, ofcourse, be subservient to the objects of the en-


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92emy's attack. You may, therefore, revert therules for attack ; let it be your object to preventyour opponent from creating strong points verynear your line of defence. That comprises every-thing, as we shall see in the instances that are tofollow.

1. PK4 PK42. KtKB3 KtQB33. P-Q4 PxP4. KtxP KtKB35. KtxKt KtPxKt6. B-Q3 PQ47. PK5

Black has followed up to this point the rules ofdevelopment. He has given to White no object ofattack, none of his pieces being in a weak posi-tion. White's attacking manoeuvre is thereforepremature.

7 KtKt58. Castles B~-QB49. PKR3

Now follows a clever stroke, which shows howunsound all White's play has been.

9. KtxKP10. R--K* -B311. Q--K2 Castles12. QxKt QxPch.13. K--R BxRP14. PxB Q--B6ch,15. K--R2 B--Q3

and Black wins.


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1. PK4 pk:42. KtKB3 Kt~QB33. PQ4 PxP4. BB4 BB45. Castles KtKB3

(5) PQ3 would be more in conform-ity with our rules. The next move is slightlyinferior, and gives White the opportunity to aviolent onslaught, which, however, in the faceof Black's splendid development, fails against thebest line of defence.

6. PK5 PQ4The right reply. To remove the Kt would bevastly inferior. If, for instance (6) KtK5; (7) BQ5 would disorganize Black's game;and if (6) KtKt5 ; (7) BxPch., KxB ;(8) KtKt5ch., might follow.

7. PxKt PxB8. RKch. BK39. KtKt5 QQ4:

NotQQ2, as (10) KtxB, PxKt; (11) QR5ch., would allow White to gain the KB.

10. KtB3 QB411. PKKt4 QKt3

Black must not take the KBP, as White wouldanswer with (12) KtQ5, QQ ; (13) RxBch.,PxR; (14) KtxP. Now Black threatens toCastle Q side with a magnificent game, as Whitethrough his attacking manceuvres has vastly im-paired the solidity of his position.


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12. QKtK4 BKt313. PKB4 Castles Q side14. PB5 BxP15. PXB QxP

At last White has recouped himself in material,but at what an expense ! He is three Pawns be-hind, his King is in a totally unsafe position, hisenemy is brilliantly developed, and the QP andQBP, far advanced and well protected, are readyfor decisive action whenever the slightest oppor-tunity is offered. All this for a minor piece.

16. PxP KR17. KtKt3 PQ6ch.18. BK3 PxBch.19. RXB QB4

or QxKt winning. Similar conclusions follow inin any variations that White may choose aftermove 13. Therefore let us go back to that posi-tion, and vary the attack.

13. KtxBPA bold sacrifice, to maintain the attack. If K orQ takes Kt, KtKt5, will regain the piece withan excellent position. If BxKt, White must besatisfied with driving the King into a somewhatexposed position by (14) PxP, QxP ; (15) KtB6ch., KQ; (16) QB3 with good attackingpossibilities against the exposed King. Black,however, has just as bold a reply, which utterlyturns the tables and gives him the attack againstthe weakened K side of White.


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96

BI.ACK.

11 i 111 H^ll i^'''mmf'-\ ^iB..,B

i A M pim^ '////////>Z', '>y//////?Z'.1

White.13 CastlesNow, at once all of the White pieces become

badly placed, and must speedily return to theircamp. The tide turns and the reaction sets in.

14. KKtKt5 BQ415. PxP KR16. KtKt3 PKR317. KtR3 KtK4

and Black should win ; or perhaps more effect-ively,


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RxRRKtK4Q-B3P-Kt-

-K4-QB3

961718. QxR19. Q-Q20. KtB4

with a brilliant attack.1. PK42. KtKB33. PQB3

The Ponziani opening. I cannot recommend it toyou on account of the questionable early advanceof the QB Pawn which it involves.

3 P-Q4An excellent answer. By his third move Whitehas weakened the square Q3 ; so Black tries toopen the Q file, to get possession of that veryimportant point.

4. QR4 PxP5. KtxP Q046. BKt5 KKtK27. PKB4

This is the move given by Staunton. It is in-tended to keep up the attack, which by the ex-change of the minor pieces would be utterly lost.White threatens now BB4, and Staunton letsBlack, therefore, reply by PxP e.p. A fine Liver-pool player, looking at the position with the in-stinct of a true chess player, thought that theremust be, against such precipitate attack as Whitehas undertaken, a better reply. And this is howhe defeated one of his opponents in a match game.

7 BQ28. KtxB KxKt9. Caiitles KtB4


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Black has by far the better development, andnow threatens BB4ch.10. PQKt4 PQR4

11. K PxP12. BxKtch. PxB13. QxR BB414. QxR KtKt6ch.15. PxKt QR4checkmate.

White. ' Black.Blackburne. Burn.

1. PK4 PK32. PQ4 PQ43. KtQB3 KtKB34. PK5 KKt~Q25. PB4 P-QB46. PxP BxP7. QKt4 Castles8. BQ3 PB49. QR3 KtQB3

10. KtB3 RBlack is evidently preparing his K side for a

long siege. His last move answers that purposeexcellently. The Rook vacates the square KBfor the Kt, which is there quite secure, and giveshis support to the weakest point, the KRP, besidesto K3 and to Kt3, and is always ready to obstructthe KKt file.

11. PKKt4 PKKt312. PQR3

One of those harmless looking moves, to pre-vent something that really is no threat at all.Those superfluous defensive moves spoil many a


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game. Why not at once QKt3, and then a vig-orous advance of the KRP ?12 BQKB-13. BQ2 PQKt414. PxP KtPxP15. Castles QR Kt~B16. RKtch.A bold and promising sacrifice, which yields a

violent attack very difficult to meet.16 BxR17. RxBch. KtKt318. KtK2 RR2

Again an excellent defensive manoeuvre. TheRook protects several of the weakest points, andcan be used as a means of obstructing the openKKtfile. 19. KtKt3 KRK220. KtR5 K

21. KtB6 RKKt222. QR6 Kt23. KtKt5

Black is practically out of danger, but must yetplay very carefully. White intends now to con-tinue with (24) QxRch., RxQ ; (25) KtB7ch.RxKt; (26) RKt8 mate.23 RKt3

24. QR5 QRKKt225. RKt3 QK2

Another protection to the KRP. White's attackslackens down because his two Bishops cannotfind an opening to add their weight to it.

26. BK2 RxKtvigorous and decisive.


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9927. PxR QxBP28. RQB3 BQ229. KtB3 KKtWhite threatened RxKt, followed by BQB3.30. QR3 KtKt331. QR6 QK232. RxKt BxRA last attempt to neutralize Black's material

superiority by attack.33. BB3 RB234. KtKt5 KtxP35. KtxR KtxBch.36. KQ2 KtxB

and Black won after a few more moves.Black .Steinitz.

White .I^asker.


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The annexed position occured in my matchwith Mr. Steinitz ; White to move. I played some-what hastily.

1. Rbeing under the impression that KtxR wouldlead to a draw by perpetual check. This is, how-ever (as, I believe, first pointed out by Tschigorin)not the case ^.^., (1) KtxR, QKt8ch.; (2)KQ2, QxPch.; (3) KQ, QKt6ch.; (4) KK2, QB5ch; (5) KK! QxPch.; (6) BQ2,QR8ch.; (7) KK2, and White should easilywin.

1 Q-B72. BQ2 RK23. KtK6 QxPch.

Here White must be extremely careful in select-ing his reply. If he plays the plausible (4) KQ, Q-Kt8ch; (5) B-B, Kt-Q6 ; (6) QxQP,KtxPch; (7) KK2, QK4ch; (8) BK3,QxBch., equalizing the material forces, and withgood chances for a draw.

4. QK3 QxKtPNow follows a very important manoeuvre, thekey to White's defence.5. PKt3

1^5) QK2 instead, Black will answer byQQ4, and have all the Q side at his own dis-posal.

5 R


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To take the RP would not be sufficient to keepthe balance of forces ; White would reply withK Q or PKt5, and very soon be able to as-sume the attack.

6. QK2 QR6The first symptom of the gradual exhaustion

of Black's attack. The Q would be better postedsomewhere on the Q side ; but QQ4 is not play-able, as PB4 would now force the exchange ofQueens.

7. K-Q R-QR8. RB2 RR7

Black's pieces are well placed, but they do notthreaten anything.

9. PKt5 PB410. KtxKtP PQ411. K

White threatens to drive the Rook away, inorder to bring matters speedily to a climax.

11 Q-Q6(11) , P~-B5 would be answered by (12)PXP, (11) , KtQ6ch. by KKt ; andthe resulting exchanges leave White always inthe possession of his advantage.

12. QXQ KtxQch.13. KKt RKt7ch14. K RXP15. RB3

and White won the ending.


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102

Black .Lasker.

White.Steinitz.This diagram shows the state of the game No.18, at move 33, White to play, of my match withMr. vSteinitz I recommend you the careful study

of this position, in which White can keep the bal-ance only by a very ingenious manoeuvre of de-fence. The question concerns only the next move ofWhite. Black threatens (1) KtxPch; (2)KtxKt, BxKt: (3) QxB, QK8ch., winning.How is White to save his game ?

If (1) RB2, RxR,- (2) BxR, Q--B3 ; (3)


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KKt2, KtxP ; (4) KtxKt, KtK4, will regainthe piece and keep the Pawn plus.

If (1) RK2, RB8 ; (2) BB2, QQ4 ; (3)KtK3, QxBP, or else (3) RQ2, KtxPch.;(4) KtxKt, QxKt; (5) QxQ, BxQ ; (6) RxKt, RxB, should win. (1) KtK3 may beanswered by (1) RB8 ; (2) R-Q, KtxPch,; (3) KtxKt, RxRch; (4) KtxR. QQ4,again remaining a Pawn ahead, with at least aneven position.

If (1) KKt2, KtxP ; (2) KtxKt, KtK4 ;(3) RQ3, RB8 ; (4) RQSch, KKt2; (5)QR7, QB3, will yield and irresistible attackto the second player.The move actually made, and the only one tosave the game (which ended in a draw) was (1)KB ! against which Black mu^t play very cau-

tiously not to be at a disadvantage, any too violentattack will fail.You will have sometimes to look very deep into

the position to find a good move for the defence.But this much, I believe, I can promise you, thatif you follow the rules laid down, you will notsearch in vain. If you will seek you will find, nomatter how dangerous the attack may look.


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Nos. 10, 11, 12Gentlemen,When both parties through the

struggles of the middle game have held their own,when by the exertions undergone in attack anddefence the material forces on both sides have be-come decimated, and direct attacks on the Kinghave consequently lost any chance of success, thegame enters upon a new stage, difftring in manypoints from those preceding it. Of this part ofthe game, called the end game, it is a character-istic that the Kinghitherto the direct or indirectobject of attack on the part your opponentoverwhose safety you anxiously watched, and whosepower was limited to the protection of a fewPawns needed for his own security, now becoii.esa powerful weapon of offence and aggression inyour hands.When the game enters this last stage, the gen-

eral rules for attack and defence are not changedin any particular. Weakenesses will principally berepresented by Pawns, which are blocked, or can-not advance for some other reason, and which, be-sides cannot be defended by other Pawns. Hereagain the attack will direct itself against the weak-nesses. Our weak points will be such as are open tothe enemy's men or King, and not commanded byany of our own men nor by our King ; our oppo-nent's weak points will be directed towards thosestrong points, and will attempt to create new onesas near the hostile weaknesses as it has the power


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to do. Here also the attacking party needs, forsuccess, a superiority of some kind. But in com-bination with all this, two new factors enter intothe end game, which give it its peculiar character.The first is based on the greater facility ac-

quired (in consequence of the exhaustion of thematerial forces) to lead 3^our passed Pawns toQueen. For that purpose there are never morethan five separate moves required, and often less.If the line where the Pawn advances consists en-tirely of strong poi

commonsense in che 00 l ask rich

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