The Chess-Player's Text Book/Chapter 1

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​

THE

CHESS-PLAYER'S TEXT BOOK.

BOOK I.

CHAPTER I.

POSITION OF THE CHESS-BOARD AND ARRANGEMEXT OF THE MEN FOR BATTLE.

The game of Chess is played by two parties, each having a mimic army of sixteen warriors, upon a board of sixty-four squares. These squares are usually coloured white and black alternately, and it has become a rule that the Chess-board shall be so placed that each party has a white square at his right-hand corner.

Diagram No. 1 exhibits the board and Chess-men duly arranged for the commencement of the game.

Each party, it is seen, has two ranks of men; on the first stand the Officers, or Pieces, as we term them, and on the next the Pawns; and, for the purposes of distinguishing these forces, the Pieces and Pawns of one party are of a different colour to those of the other.

​The eight superior Pieces, on each side, are :—

A King,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A Queen,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Two Rooks or Castles (as they are indiscriminately called),
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Two Bishops,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Two Knights,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
And each of these pieces has his Pawn or Foot Soldier,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGRAM No. 1
Black.
a8 black rook
b8 black knight
c8 black bishop
d8 black queen
e8 black king
f8 black bishop
g8 black knight
h8 black rook
a7 black pawn
b7 black pawn
c7 black pawn
d7 black pawn
e7 black pawn
f7 black pawn
g7 black pawn
h7 black pawn
a2 white pawn
b2 white pawn
c2 white pawn
d2 white pawn
e2 white pawn
f2 white pawn
g2 white pawn
h2 white pawn
a1 white rook
b1 white knight
c1 white bishop
d1 white queen
e1 white king
f1 white bishop
g1 white knight
h1 white rook
White.

​The King and Queen occupy the centre squares of the first, or, as it is generally called, the "royal" line, and each is supported by a Bishop, a Knight, and a Rook: while in front, before them, stand the eight foot-soldiers in a row.[1] The pieces on the side of the King are called the King's, as the King's Bishop, King's Knight, King's Rook; and the Pawns before them, the King's Pawn, King's Bishop's Pawn, King's Knight's Pawn, and King's Rook's Pawn. In like manner, the Pieces and Pawns on the Queen's side are called the Queen's.[2]

When perfectly conversant with the titles of the men, and the proper method of arranging them for battle, which, with the assistance of the foregoing diagram, he may become in half an hour's practice, the learner should acquire a knowledge of the moves and powers of the forces, to attain which the aid of some chess-playing acquaintance will be found greatly to facilitate him. He should then proceed to study the "Notation;" that is the method adopted in this country to describe the moves made by two players in their conduct of the game.

The following are the moves of the Pawns and Pieces:—

The Pawn.—The Pawn moves forward in a straight line one square at each move, as from h to f (see diagram), excepting at the first move of each Pawn, when the ​player may, if he please, advance the Pawn two squares, as from l to f. The Pawn captures his adversary obliquely in advance of his square : thus, supposing the Pawn to be at l, he might capture an adversary if on squares g or i. The Pawn cannot move off his file of squares except to capture an adversary as described.

The Knight.—The Knight has the most remarkable move of any piece on the board. He moves three squares in any direction from the one on which he is placed, and is the only piece allowed to pass over the head of any other. The move of the Knight will be more easily understood by referring to the diagram : thus, supposing the Knight to he on a square p. he would move onwards, either to the right or left, to i. or k or in like manner, in

DIAGRAM No. 2
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
​another direction to l. A little practice will readily enable the learner to understand this move.

The Bishop.—The Bishop moves obliquely either backwards or forwards, and may move over any number of squares if the same are unoccupied. The Bishop, however, can only move upon squares of that colour on which he stood at the commencement of the game : consequently one Bishop moves along the Black squares, the other along the White. Supposing the Bishop to be placed on o, he could move obliquely to l, or to h.

The Rook or Castle.—The Rook moves in a right line either forward, backward, or sideways, to any distance along the file of squares, if no other piece intervenes. Thus, the Rook at q may move either to h or n.

The Queen.—The Queens move possesses the moves and powers of the Bishop and Rook combined, moving either in a straight line or obliquely to any distance, if the intervening squares are unoccupied. Thus, supposing the Queen on n, the player could move either to a or q, e or i.

The King.—The King moves in every direction, but only one square at a time, and must always be at least one square distance from the adversary's King. Thus the King being on h could move to g, e, f, i, m, &c.

A very little diligence will enable him. by the aid of the following diagram, to master the system sufficiently : but here, as in the case of the powers and movements of the men, he will find the assistance of some one well grounded in the game of more avail than any written description.

​
DIAGRAM No. 3
Black.
Q. R.’s sq.
Q. R.’s 8th
Q. Kt.’s sq.
Q. Kt.’s 8th
Q. B.’s sq.
Q. B.’s 8th
Q.’s sq.
Q.’s 8th
K.’s sq.
K.’s 8th
K.’s B.’s sq.
K.’s B.’s 8th
K.’s Kt.’s sq.
K.’s Kt.’s 8th
K.’s R.’s sq.
K.’s R.’s 8th
Q. R.’s 2nd
Q. R.’s 7th
Q. Kt.’s 2nd
Q. Kt.’s 7th
Q. B.’s 2nd
Q. B.’s 7th
Q.’s 2nd
Q.’s 7th
K.’s 2nd
K.’s 7th
K.’s B.’s 2nd
K.’s B.’s 7th
K.’s Kt.’s 2nd
K.’s Kt.’s 7th
K.’s R.’s 2nd
K.’s R.’s 7th
Q. R.’s 3rd
Q. R.’s 6th
Q. Kt.’s 3rd
Q. Kt.’s 6th
Q. B.’s 3rd
Q. B.’s 6th
Q.’s 3rd
Q.’s 6th
K.’s 3rd
K.’s 6th
K.’s B.’s 3rd
K.’s B.’s 6th
K.’s Kt.’s 3rd
K.’s Kt.’s 6th
K.’s R.’s 3rd
K.’s R.’s 6th
Q. R.’s 4th
Q. R.’s 5th
Q. Kt.’s 4th
Q. Kt.’s 5th
Q. B.’s 4th
Q. B.’s 5th
Q.’s 4th
Q.’s 5th
K.’s 4th
K.’s 5th
K.’s B.’s 4th
K.’s B.’s 5th
K.’s Kt.’s 4th
K.’s Kt.’s 5th
K.’s R.’s 4th
K.’s R.’s 5th
Q. R.’s 5th
Q. R.’s 4th
Q. Kt.’s 5th
Q. Kt.’s 4th
Q. B.’s 5th
Q. B.’s 4th
Q.’s 5th
Q.’s 4th
K.’s 5th
K.’s 4th
K.’s B.’s 5th
K.’s B.’s 4th
K.’s Kt.’s 5th
K.’s Kt.’s 4th
K.’s R.’s 5th
K.’s R.’s 4th
Q. R.’s 6th
Q. R.’s 3rd
Q. Kt.’s 6th
Q. Kt.’s 3rd
Q. B.’s 6th
Q. B.’s 3rd
Q.’s 6th
Q.’s 3rd
K.’s 6th
K.’s 3rd
K.’s B.’s 6th
K.’s B.’s 3rd
K.’s Kt.’s 6th
K.’s Kt.’s 3rd
K.’s R.’s 6th
K.’s R.’s 3rd
Q. R.’s 7th
Q. R.’s 2nd
Q. Kt.’s 7th
Q. Kt.’s 2nd
Q. B.’s 7th
Q. B.’s 2nd
Q.’s 7th
Q.’s 2nd
K.’s 7th
K.’s 2nd
K.’s B.’s 7th
K.’s B.’s 2nd
K.’s Kt.’s 7th
K.’s Kt.’s 2nd
K.’s R.’s 7th
K.’s R.’s 2nd
Q. R.’s 8th
Q. R.’s sq.
Q. Kt.’s 8th
Q. Kt.’s sq.
Q. B.’s 8th
Q. B.’s sq.
Q.’s 8th
Q.’s sq.
K.’s 8th
K.’s sq.
K.’s B.’s 8th
K.’s B.’s sq.
K.’s Kt.’s 8th
K.’s Kt.’s sq.
K.’s R.’s 8th
K.’s R.’s sq.

White.

From the above it will be seen that the eight squares which compose the first rank on either side, are each distinguished by the name of the piece which occupies it when the men are first drawn up in battle order. Thus, the square on which the King now stands is called the King's square, that on which the Queen stands the Queen's square, and so on with the other Pieces. The files, also, that is to say the rows of squares running from top to bottom of the board, are designated by the particular Piece which occupies the first square—for example, take ​the K. R.'s square. Here the square on which the King's Rook stands at starting takes the name of the Officer, and is known as the K. R.'s square.[3] The next square forward on the same file is called, the K.'s R.'s 2nd, the next to that the K.'s R.'s 3rd, and so on up to the 8th square.

As the same mode of describing the squares is adopted by both players. White's first rank of squares is Black's eighth, and vice versa. A little consideration and practice will render this method of notation quite familiar to the student. He should begin by setting up the men in due array ; after a few repetitions, and comparing their positions with the first diagram, he will soon be enabled to arrange them correctly without referring to the book at all. It will then be well for him to clear the board of all but a single Piece, and practice with that until perfect in its movements ; another and another may then be added, until the action of every one is as easy to him as the alphabet.

As a first exercise he may begin by playing his Queen to her square {i.e., her first square), then play her to Q.'s 5th square, then (diagonally) to Q.'s Rook's 8th square, then to Q.'s R.'s square, and then home again to her square. These directions, abbreviated in the manner described at page 3, would stand thus :—

1. Q . to her sq.

2. Q. to her 5th

3. Q. to her R.'s 8th

4. Q . to K. R.'s 8th

5. Q. to her R.'s sq.

6. Q. to her sq.





​As a next exercise, he can place the King's Rook on King's Rook's square, and then play as follows :—

1. K. R. to his 4th

2. K. R. to Q. R.'s 4th

3. K. R. to Q. R.'s 8th

4. K. R. to K. R.'s 8th

5. K. R. to K. R.'s sq.





He might then add the Queen's Bishop, and play thus :—

1. Q. B, to K. R. s 6th

2. Q. B. to K. B.'s 8th

3. Q. B. to Q. R.'s 3rd

4. Q. B. to his sq.





By practising with both Pieces and Pawns in succession, he will speedily be enabled to go through a game, or, at least, an opening of one, from book. Before, however, attempting this, it may be well for him to understand the technical terms in use among players, the relative value of his men, and the code of laws which govern the game, &c., &c.

  1. ↑ In disposing the men for play, young players may avoid the very frequent error of misplacing their King and Queen by bearing in mind that the White King always stands on a Black square, and the Black King on a White one.
  2. ↑ It is not usual in Chess works to describe each piece at length; the following abbreviations are commonly adopted:—
    K. . . . . . . . . for King.
    Q. . . . . . . . . " Queen.
    R. . . . . . . . . " Rook.
    B. . . . . . . . . " Bishop.
    Kt. . . . . . . . . " Knight.
    P. . . . . . . . . " Pawn.
  3. ↑ Properly speaking, the squares on the first rank should be designated as "First," as "K.'s Rook's first square," &c. ; but it is customary to use the word "square" only in this case, and to omit it and five the number of the square instead when the squares of other ranks are mentioned. Thus in playing a Knight to K. B.'s 3rd square, we describe the move as merely Kt. to K. B.'s 3rd ; but if the Knight were played to K. B.'s 1st square, or K's 1st square, the move would be described as Kt. to K. B.'s square, or Kt. to K's square.
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