Page:The chess-player's text book.djvu/39

BEFORE proceeding to the study of works which treat of the several Openings, or systematic methods of beginning a game, it will greatly help to familiarise you with the powers of the Pieces if you devote a few hours to the consideration of the simpler class of Check-mates — that is to say, those where one party is left with his King alone against a King and Queen, a King and Rook, and the like.

This is one of the easiest of all Check-mates : for, in the most adverse position for the King and Queen you can devise, they can force Check-mate in nine moves. The quickest way to proceed is by confining the solitary King to one side of the Chess-board with your Queen, and then bringing up your King to face him. after which Check-mate follows immediately. A very little practice with a friend will enable you to accomplish it. There is one danger, however, you must be warned of, namely, that of giving Stale-maie instead of Check-mate, an error young players are very apt to fall into when their opponent has only his King left. Take, for example, the following simple situation :—