I must not omit the present opportunity to acknowledge the profound obligations this volume is under to its great namesake "The Handbuch" of Bilguer and V. der Laza, a production-whether considered in reference to its research, its suggestiveness, or the methodical completeness of its arrangement,—which stands unrivalled and alone. Nor can I forego the gratification of tendering my warmest thanks to Messrs. Angas and Finley, of Durham, for their invaluable assistance in the shape of translations and corrections, and to my esteemed friend the Rev. H. Bolton, and to those gentlemen who have kindly seconded his efforts, for the series of exquisite problems which so appropriately concludes the work. H. S. London, June, 1847. CONTENTS. I. Description of the Chess-Board and Men.-Arrangement of the Men.-Their Movements.-Powers.-Method of Cap- II. The Notation adopted to describe the Moves.. VI. General Rules and Observations.. Mathematical Definitions of the Moves and Powers of the VII. Maxims and Advice for an Inexperienced Player The Chess-Player's Handbook. BOOK I. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. DESCRIPTION OF THE CHESS BOARD AND MEN ARRANGEMENT OF THE MEN-THE KING — THE QUEEN-THE ROOKS OR CASTLES-THE BISHOPSTHE KNIGHTS AND THE PAWNS-THEIR MOVE. MENTS, POWERS, METHOD OF CAPTURING AN ADVERSE MAN, ETC. THE game of Chess, the most fascinating and intellectual pastime which the "wisdom of antiquity" has bequeathed to us, is played by two persons, each having at command a little army of sixteen men, upon a board divided into sixty-four squares, eight on each of the four sides. The squares are usually coloured white and black, or red and white, alternately; and custom has made it an indispensable regulation in this country, that the board shall be so placed that each player has a white square at his right-hand corner.* *This arrangement is merely conventional. In the carlier ages of chess, the board was simply divided into sixty-four squares, without any difference of colour; and there is good reason for believing that the chess-men were then alike in form and size, and distinguishable only by an Inscription or sign on each. |