GAME IX. Played by correspondence between Berlin and

Posen.

And Berlin wins.

GAME X.-Between V. H. der Laza and Dr. E.

Q. to K. R's 5th (ch.), appears a stronger move.

K. Kt. to B's 3rd is the defence most highly approved by Jaenisch and the writers of the German "Handbuch," who consider it so powerful a retort, as to wrest from White at once the advantage of the move, and thus prove the comparative feebleness of the long-established method of beginning the attack with B. to Q. B's 4th at the second move.

Although of opinion that playing the Kt. is a safe defence, I am not prepared to estimate it as so much superior to the old move of B. to Q. B's 4th, as these able writers assume it to be, especially since I find in their admirable analyses of the two defences, that the result, with the best play on both sides, is in either case an equal game. The chief works deserving consultation upon this particular opening, are-Greco (Hir. shell's edition), pp. 63-105; Lolli, pp. 189-201; Cozio (1st vol.), pp. 326, 345; (2nd vol.), pp. 102, 313, 318, 344; Po ani (1782), p. 79; Allgaier (Tab. iii.); Bledow (1843), pp. 3-23, 20; Lewis (1844), pp. 37-39; Walker (1846),

* Again, checking with the Queen seems preferable.

111; "Palamède" (1842), (2nd vol.), pp. 100-145; the German "Handbuch;" and the collection of openings and games in the "Chess-Player's Chronicle."

3. P. to Q's 4th.

3. P. takes P.

3. P. to Q's 4th is the move which forms the centre gambit of Ponziani, a mode of play which is censured by Jaenisch, but which may yet, I think, be adopted by you with perfect security, if not with any striking advantage. Instead of so playing, you have the choice of 3. P. to Q's 3rd, or P. to K. B's 4th, 3. K. Kt. to B's 3rd, and 3. Q. Kt. to B's 3rd, each of which will be examined in the present Chapter. (See the next and the two succeeding games.) In answer to your third move in the text, Black may play 3. P. to Q. B's 3rd without danger, or 3. K. Kt. takes P., but the result in the latter case would be favourable to your game. (e. g.)

4. P. takes P.

5. B. takes K. B. P. (ch.)

3. Kt. takes K. P.
4. B. to Q. B's 4th.
5. K. to B's sq.

(If K. take B., you play Q. to her 5th (ch.), and then take the Kt.\ 6. Q. to K. B's 3rd.

4. P. to K's 5th.

You have the better game.

4. P. to Q's 4th.

You may also, for your 4th move, take the P. with your Q.; the game then, in a few moves, becoming equal; for example,

4. Q. takes P.

5. Q. to K's 3rd.

6. B. to Q's 2nd.

4. Q. Kt. to B's 3rd.
5. B. to Q. Kt.'s 5th (ch.)
6. Castles.

You have certainly no disadvantage.

5. B. to Q. Kt.'s 3rd.

Neither taking the Kt. nor

5. Kt. to K's 5th.

checking with the Bishop is advisable for you at this point. It is much better to retire the latter to Kt.'s 3rd.

6. K. Kt. to K's 2nd.

6. P. to Q. B's 4th.

If you move 6. K. Kt. to B's 3rd, Black will have the superior

7. P. to K. B's 3rd. 8. Kt. to K. B's 4th, 9. B. to R's 4th (ch.) 10. B. takes Kt. (ch.) 11. Q. takes doubled P. 12. Kt. takes Kt.

7. Kt. to K. Kt.'s 4tn
8. P. to Q. B's 5th.
9. Q. Kt. to B's 3rd.
10. P. takes B.

11. Kt. to K's 3rd.
12. K. B. P. takes Kt.
13. P. to Q. B's 4th.

13. Castles. These moves are given by Jaenisch and the "Handbuch," and White is now made to play 14. Q. to K. B's 2nd, after which the game is speedily dismissed as favourable for Black. This retreat of the Queen, which would be feasible enough if Black, at his 12th move, take the Kt. with the Q. B., appears to me unnecessary, and much inferior to playing her to K. Kt.'s 4th, where she would be well stationed, and for some time could act as a powerful constraint upon the development of Black's forces.

Your present move is less immediately attacking than 3. P. to Q's 4th, but it is thought preferable by some players.

4. K. Kt. to B's 3rd.

4. P. to Q's 3rd.

You might now get a menacing, but somewhat hazardous, game, by playing 4. P. to K. B's 4th, and pursuing it as follows:

(If he play this P. one sq., you reply with 5. P. to Q. B's 3rd.)

(It is much better to take the Q. P. with Bishop, than with the K. P.)

Black has a good game, and will have a better if you take the Q. B. P. At your 7th move, instead of K. Kt. to B's 3rd, you might play Q. to K. B's 3rd, and equalize the positions.

5. Castles.

6. P. to Q. R's 4th.

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

6. P. to Q. R' 4th.

The game is even.

Your 3rd move is censured by Caivi, but it may be played apparently without any dangerous consequences, and with mutually correct moves afterwards, must lead to an equal game.

Black's best reply, I believe, is to throw forward his Q. P., as above; if he play, as some authorities advise, 3. Kt. takes K. P., you must not move 4. Q. to K. B's 3rd, on account of 4. P. to Q's 4th, but you may play 4. P. to Q's 3rd, and the game would probably be followed thus:

4. P. to Q's 3rd.

5. P. to K. Kt.'s 3rd.
6. K. Kt. to B's 3rd.

(If he play 6. Q. to K. R's 3rd, you

attack as in the

7. R. to K. Kt.'s sq.

8. R. to Kt.'s 5th.

9. B. takes K. B. P. (ch.)

10. R. to K. R's 5th.

3. Kt. takes K. P.

4. Q. to K. R's 5th (ch.)

5. Kt. takes K. Kt. P.

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

take K. P. with P., and pursue the present case.)

7. Kt. to K. B's 4th.

8. Q. to K. R's 6th.

9. K. takes B.

10. Q. to K. Kt.'s 7th.

(He obviously loses his Q. by taking the Rook, or going to Kt.'s 5th.

11. R. takes Kt. (ch.)

with her.)

11. K. to his sq.

(The German" Handbuch" here makes White, for his 12th move, take P. with R. (ch.), Black interposing his B., and the game is given up re equal; but, I believe, you have an advantage, considering that Black' King has moved, by playing)—

If you play 5. Q. to K's 2nd (ch.), he answers with 5 B. to K's 2nd and the positions are even.

6. K. Kt. to B's 3rd.

There is no advantage on either side.