The Chess-Player's Text Book/Chapter 14

​The preceding sketch of the chief openings is necessarily so limited that it can afford you but a faint idea of their almost inexhaustible resources. It will serve, however, if fully mastered, to qualify you for a more extended course of study, both as regards those débuts we have touched on, and the several others, such as the games on the Queen's side, which want of space obliges us to omit. We shall only add to it, as a pleasant and pertinent conclusion, the following

For which we are indebted to a late number of the Quarterly Review :—

"1st. Chess not until the business of the day is fairly done, and you feel that you have earned your amusement.

"2nd. Chess not in mixed society, when it is likely that your antagonist or yourself will be missed from the circle by either hostess or company.

"3rd. Chess not with persons much older than yourself, when you feel sure that you can beat them, but not sure that they will relish it.

"4th. Chess not with your wife unless you can give her odds, and then take care rather to overmatch yourself.

"5th. Play not into the 'small hours,' lest the business of the next day should suffer from scanty rest or late rising.

"6th. Do not commend your adversary's play when you have won, or abuse your own when you have lost. You ​are assuming in the first place, and detracting in the second.

"7th. Strive to have no choice as to board or pieces, &c; but if you have any never mention it after a defeat.

"And. lastly, idolise not chess. It is simply a recreation, and only to be regarded as such. The less selfish you are in its pursuit, the more patience, the better temper, you bring to the practice of it, the better you will illustrate its merits as the most intellectual of games, and establish your character as a philosopher even in sport."