The Chess-Player's Text Book/Chapter 11

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AN instructive and excellent mode of beginning the game ; according to Philidor, indeed, the very best which the opening player can adopt.

WHITE.	BLACK.
1. P. to K.'s 4th.	1. P. to K.'s 4th.
2. K. B. to Q. B.'s 4th.	2. K. B. to Q. B.'s 4th.

Your second move here is hardly so attacking as 2. K. Kt. to B.'s 3rd, but it may be played with perfect safety, and it leads to many fine games.

In answer to it, Black may play his K. B. out also, as above, or he may move 2. K. Kt. to B.'s 3rd, as in Game II.

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

3. K. Kt. to B.'s 2nd.

You have a great choice of moves at this point. If you play 3. Q. to K.'s 2nd, the opening is generally resolved into what is called the "Lopez Gambit." For that, and the result of 3. Q. to K. Kt.'s 4th ; or 3. Q. to K. R.'s 5th ; or 3. P. to Q. Kt.'s 4th ; or 3. P. to Q.'s 4th, see the "Handbook," pp. 204-222. Black also may play variously after your move of 3. P. to Q. B.'s 3rd. Perhaps his best answer is the one above ; or 3. Q. to K. Kt.'s 4th ; or 3. P. to Q.'s 4th. See the "Handbook," pp. 200-202.

4. P. to Q.'s 4th.	4. P. takes P.
5. P. to K.'s 5th.	5. P. to Q.'s 4th.

Black may likewise play 5. Q. to K.'s 2nd ; or 5. K. Kt. to K.'s 5th ; but in either case you get the advantage of position shortly.

6. P. takes Kt. (best.)	6. P. takes B.
7. P. takes K. Kt.'s P.	7. R. to K. Kt.'s sq.

​If he Check with his Q. at K.'s 2nd, first, you should interpose your Q. B. at K.'s 3rd, and he dare not take it on account of the jeopardy his R. is in.

WHITE.	BLACK.
8. Q. to K. R. s 5th.	8. Q. to K.'s 2nd. Ch.
9. K. to Q.'s sq.	9. R. takes P.
10. K. Kt. to B.'s 3rd.	10. Q. Kt. to B.'s 3rd.
11. K. R. to K.'s sq.	11. Q. B. to K.'s 3rd.
12. R. takes Q. B.	12. Q. takes R.
13. Q. takes B., and you have the better game.

WHITE.	BLACK.
1. P. to K.'s 4th.	1. P. to K.'s 4th.
2. K. B. to Q. B.'s 4th.	2. K. Kt. to B.'s 3rd.

This is pretty generally thought now to be a better defence for Black than the former one.

3. P. to Q.'s 4th.

7. P. takes P.

You may here play 3. K. Kt. to B.'s 3rd : or Q. Kt. to B.'s 3rd, and still retain the advantage of the first move.

4. P. to K.'s 5th.	4. P. to Q.'s 4th (best play).
5. B. to Q. Kt.'s 3rd (best).	5. Kt. to K.'s 5th.
6. K. Kt. to K.'s 2nd.	6. P. to Q. B.'s 4th.
7. P. to K. B.'s 3rd.	7. K. Kt. to his 4th.
8. K. Kt. to B.'s 4th.	8. P. to Q. B.'s 5th.
9. B. to Q. R.'s 4th. Ch.	9. Q. Kt. to B.'s 3rd.

The game is about equal.