THE D CHESS-PLAYER'S · Pocket Companion : Containing An ACCOUNT of the GAME of CHESS; a SYNOPSIS of all the BY SAMUEL COMYN, Of the Middle Temple, Esq., Barrister at Law. "The pictures drawn in our minds are laid in fading colours, LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND Co. WALMSLEY, LIVERPOOL; BARWICK, LANCASTER. M.D.CCCLI. HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY SILAS W. HOWLAND NOVEMBER 8, 1938 THE PROFITS, ARISING FROM THE SALE OF THIS EDITION, WILL BE APPLIED IN AID OF THE FUNDS OF THE LANCASTER DISPENSARY. PREFACE. IN presenting to the public another compilation on Chess, after the appearance of so many valuable works on the same subject, it is perhaps requisite that the Author should state the reasons which have led him to do so. Having been induced to make a selection from the almost innumerable variations in the different openings, and finding that he was greatly benefited thereby, the Author is happy to render his labour available to those who are unable to find leisure to perform the task for themselves; and to such he hopes it may prove of much advantage, as presenting an easy method of acquiring that which by too many is dreaded as very formidable, viz. a scientific mode of playing the most noble and instructive of games. For many years the Author himself was deterred from entering upon a scientific study of Chess, by the erroneous idea that it would be most arduous and uninteresting. He can now, however, assure those who have never yet commenced the study that not only is it most interesting, but that also a moderate knowledge of the Game may be obtained with much less trouble than is generally supposed. 0.1 The selection, before alluded to, forms, with some additions and alterations, the third and fourth parts of this work, upon which great care and attention have been bestowed. By some it will probably be said that this treatise is far too concise. To such it will be sufficient to answer : "This compilation, except as a remembrancer, is not intended for you." So far, however, as the large majority of Chess-players is concerned, the Author is confident, from past experience, that the contents of this work will occupy them a considerable time; for, unless each attack and defence be thoroughly impressed upon the memory, they will find the trite proverb but too true in this instance also, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." When all the analyses in this treatise are perfectly known, recourse may then be had, with much advantage, to larger works, among which the Author would particularly recommend Mr. Staunton's most admirable "Handbook." To render this little manual as convenient for reference as possible, it has been divided into five parts. The FIRST contains the Introduction and Laws. The SECOND a Synopsis of all the ordinary openings, together with a few observations. The THIRD Some of the most desirable modes of attack, with the best defences for the second player to adopt, including the best mode of evading the King's Gambit. The FOURTH is devoted to the King's Gambit, a most interesting portion of the game, although an acquaintance with it is not absolutely necessary; but, if the gambit be accepted, a most perfect knowledge of all the variations, in the fourth part of this compilation, is indispensable. The LAST part will be found to contain a few of the endings of games. |