Now, whatever Black does, White has the advantage of position, and ought to win. Let the student play out the game with a competent opponent from this point. Before dismissing this opening, we may as well examine another kind of defence, which though powerful, depends for its success on the mode of attack adopted by the first player. Either colour may move first, but for the sake of uniformity, writers on chess have assumed that White always has the first move. The first three moves for each player are the same as before :— White. 1 P. to K. 4 Black. 1 P. to K. 4 2 P. takes P. 3 K. B. to K. 2. Now White varies the attack. Instead of moving out his Knight to defend the advanced Pawn, he moves 4 Q. to K. Kt. 4; to which Black replies by 4 K. Kt. to B. 3, attacking the Queen; or Queen's Pawn two squares, which we will examine presently. Presuming the Knight to be brought out, White takes Knight's Pawn, which is weak, as we shall see presently, or retires his Queen. 5 Q. takes K. Kt. P. 5 R. attacks Q. The Queen must now retire to her Rook's 6th, or make a fearful sacrifice. 6 Q. to R. 6 She moves 6 K. B. to Q. 3 attacking Bishop and Knight. The best play for Black is now to take the Pawn, by which he secures a fine position and ought to win the game. If White now attacks the Rook with his King's Bishop, Black can advance the Gambit Pawn. If White takes the Pawn, Black threatens his opponent's Qucen by moving first to his Queen's 3rd, and afterwards to his own square. We see, then, that this attack is bad for the White. We must try another game. Instead of taking King's Knight's Pawn with Queen, White, as his fifth move, takes the Gambit Pawn: White. Black. 5 Q. takes doubled P. 5 Castles. 6 P. to Q. 3 7 K. P. advances, 6 P. to Q. 4 attacking the Knight. 7 Kt. to R. 4 attacking the Queen, who is obliged to retire. Her best move is, perhaps, 8 Q. to K. B. 2 8 P. to K. B. 3 White must take the offered Pawn, and Black has the better game. We will now try the variation from White's fourth move. Instead of moving out his Knight, Black advances his Queen's Pawn two squares, which, at this point of the game, is considered the best move. Let the student replace the pieces, and play moves one to three as before. 4 Q to K. Kt. 4 4 P. to Q. 4 5 P. takes P. Now Black attacks with his Knight, 6 K. Kt. to B 3, and Queen is obliged to retreat. She moves White. 7 Q. to K. B. 3 (best); Black. for, if Queen gives check, Black interposes his Bishop, and obliges her to move again. And we know how useful is the adage "avoid useless checks." 8 K. B. to Q. B. 4 7 Castles attacking the Queen, which must be moved again. She therefore takes a Pawn and attacks Queen's Rook. 9 Q. takes Q. Kt. P. 9 Q. to Q. 3. White cannot now take the Castle, for Black threatens mate by moving to King's Knight 6, and giving check. White, therefore, must come back into her own quarters,― 10 Q. to Q. Kt. 3. This prevents Black's threatened move. 10 Q. Kt. to B. 3, threatening to attack Queen and Bishop at his next move. From this point Black has decidedly the best game. From all which we deduce the fact that the best moves in this opening, for the White, are those given in the previous page. Play a few rapid moves, and.try this, 11 K. Kt. to B. 3 11 B. to K. 3 12 Q. (or P.) takes B. 13 P. takes Q. THE ALLGAIER GAMBIT. This fine opening turns on the sacrifice of a Knight in exchange for two Pawns. It was invented by the famous German player, from whom it has derived its name. It is, as can be seen, a variation of the King's Gambit. By it the first player acquires a strong attack; but if he is not very careful he soon loses any advantage he may have gained. Let us play a game by way of trial. White. 1 P. to K. 4 2 P. to K. B. 4 So far the King's Gambit. 3 K. Kt. to B. 3 Black. 1 P. to K. 4 Now comes the 3 P. to K. Kt. 4 4 P. advances If Pawn had taken Pawn, Knight would have retaken it, and White would have had the best of the game. If instead of advancing the Knight Pawn, Black had defended it with King Bishop's Pawn, White would attack with his Queen, and speedily induce a series of exchanges. White now plays 5 P. to K. R. 4. 5 K. Kt. to his 5th This move of the White constitutes the Allgaier Gambit, the Knight having moved here purposely to be taken if attacked by either Pawn. Black's is a better move than attacking the Knight with either of the Pawns, as it prevents the Queen from taking the King's Knight's Pawn. this loss of the Knight constituting the Gambit. Now White can either take Pawn with Pawn or with Bishop, and attack the Queen. The best play is 9 P. takes P. which obliges Black to move his Knight, or lose it. He plays 9 K. to K. B. 2_ If Knight move to his own square, White moves Queen's Bishop to King's 5, attacking the Rook. 10 P. advances, and attacks the Knight. What now must Black do to defend this rather bold attack? He plays, as his best move, 11 Q. to Q. 2. 10 Kt. to his 4 This is, perhaps, better than attacking Rook with Bishop; but the latter move defends the King's Pawn. and attacks the Queen. 11 Kt. takes K. P. E |