4 P takes P

5 Kt to KB 3 (a)

6 K Kt to Q Kt 5 6 B to Q Kt 5

7 Kt to Q 6 ch

8 B to KB 4

9 Q to 2

9 Kt to Q B 3

10 Kt to QB4

10 Castles

11 B to K Kt 5

12 P takes B

13 R to Q sq 14 B to K 2

11 Kt to R 4 (a)

12 Kt to Q B 3

13 P to B 5

14 P to KB 3

15 P to Q Kt 4 16 B to Kt 2

17 P to QR 4 18 P takes P

19 P to Kt 5 20 P takes P

21 R to R 7 22 P takes P

23 Kt to R 2 (c)

24 K takes B

25 Kt to Kt 4 Resigns

Apparently P to Q

15 Kt to K 3 16 Castles

17 B takes Kt ch 18 Kt to Q 5 ch 19 F takes B

20 P to KB 4
21 B takes Kt (c)
22 P takes P

23 Q takes P
24 Oto KR7
25 R takes P ch
26 Q takes KR
27 to 3

28 K to R sq

Kt 4 ought to be the continuation, but I 29 Pto KR3

should not like his position much, even then. I should say he has Castled too soon, but if he had not Castled, the aspect of Black's game would not be otherwise than unsatisfactory. There can be little doubt but that the tourney has considerably shaken 3 Kt to KB 3 as a reply to White's third move. It is to be hoped the French Defence is not expiring. Few would view its demise with regret, but at

it to the grave.

30 K to R 2

31 R to Q Kt sq 32 R to Q Kt 4

33 R to OB 4
34 R to O B 8 ch 34 K to Kt 2
350 to Kt 3 ch

36 K takes Q
37 R to Ω B 7 ch

38 R takes P

39 R to Q 7 40 K to R 4

least two sincere mourners would follow Mr. Blackburne, of 41 R takes P ch course, would be one of these, and the 42 R takes P However, 43 P to K Kt 4 other is not worth naming.

this is a mere momentary access of 44 R to O Kt 8

45 K to R 5

depression. I apprehend that the wiry 46 R to Q Kt sq French Defence will long continue to 47 P to K Kt 5 (d) fulfil its mission, which is to annoy gambit mongers, book consumers, weavers variations, trap manufacturers, and such

like.

of

(b) This is a splendid square for the Kt, and the facts of it being able to take up such a commanding position is an important feature of Winawer's invention, 8 Kt to Q sq.

48 P to KR4 49 K to Kt 6

50 R to K sq 51 K to R 7

52 P to KR 5 53 P to K Kt 6

54 P to Kt 7

55 P to R 6, and wins.

(a) Pto QR 3 is necessary here.

(c) This very surprising mistake can (b) This variation is, I believe, not given only be looked upon as hastening an in the books; a reprehensible omission that almost certain result, for Zukertort, while will no doubt be rectified in future perfectly safe on the Queen's flank, had editions.

on the other side an attack such as a

(c) I do not consider this a perfectly

player of the very highest grade could satisfactory outcome of the opening not oppose with any expectation of avert- advantage. The tendency of Zukertort ing defeat. Black must now lose not to simplification is rather a flaw in his merely the exchange, but a clear Rook. play.

(b) This is all very well for the time being; but how about Castling?

(c) I favour B to K sq.

(d) Very ingeniously conceived.

(e) One of Winawer's peculiar devices. It threatens P to B 5, and so forces P to K B 3, which, to a certain extent, imports an element of weakness into the opponent's game. For all that, I very much question the virtue of the idea.

(f) It is a noticeable feature of Mr. Gifford's play that he can never bring himself to take the risk of a promising dash at the opportune moment. He seems to view with fear the breaking up of his position, and apparently is unable to

3 Kt to KB 3

4 B to B 4

5 P to Q 3

6 P to KR 3

7 P to QR 3

8 B to K 3

9 Kt to K 2

10 P takes B

11 P takes B

12 Kt to Q B 3 13 Q to K 2 (b) 14 Castles Q R 15 P to 24 16QP takes KP 17 P takes P

18 B to Q Kt 3 19 Q to K B2 20 R to Q 3

21 KR to

22 P to KB 4

25

4 Kt to Q B 3

5 B to K Kt 5

6 B to R 4

7 P to KR 3

8 B to Q Kt 3

9 B takes Kt

10 B takes B

11 Q to KB 3 (a) 12 Q Kt to K 2 13 P to QB 3 14 Castles QR 15 P to Q 4 16 Q takes P

17 P takes P

(a) Black, I dare say, thought that he was going to have an advantage by this time. If he have any at all, it is of an evanescent character, and likely, if not carefully cherished, to melt into nothingness. The text move does not strike one as particularly strong. If playing for a win he should apparently check at R 5, then bring back the Queen as far as B 3, and afterwards Castle on the Q side.

(b) White has the better game now.

(c) This ought not to turn out well. P to K Kt 4, with the object of getting a Pawn to Kt 5, may seem hazardous, but I do do not know that it would be so very bad.

GAME 149.

18 Kt to KB 3 19 Kt to Q B 3

20 R to Q 2

sq

21 KR to 22 Q to KB 4

sq

23 Kt to K 5 (c) 24 Kt takes Kt 25 Kt to K 2 26 P to KB 3 27 P to Q Kt 4 28 K to B 2

29 P to QR 3 30 R to Q 3 31 P takes P

32 Kt to Q B 3 33 Kt to QR4 34 Kt to B 5 ch 35 Kt P takes B 36 Q to R 2

37 R to Kt 3 ch 38 R to K Kt sq 39 R to Q Kt 2 40 K takes R

41 P to KB 4 41 R to K Kt 5

43 Q to K Kt sq

44 K to B 3

White.

38 B to KR 4 39 K to B 2

40 R to K Kt sq 41 B to K Kt 5 42 B to Q 7

Black.

38 R to B 2

39 P takes P

40 B to Kt 7

41 QR to K B sq

42 Kt takes P

43 B to K Kt 4 (g) 43 Kt to K 6

44 KB takes P

45 K takes B

46 R to KB sq

47 K to B 2

48 P to R 4

44 B takes B

45 Kt takes Pat B 2

46 Kt to Q 5 ch

47 Kt to K 3

48 Kt to Q B 4 and wins.

(a) Not much to be expected from this game, though of the two positions I rather prefer White's.

(b) KR to this square would be better.

(c) This ought to ensure the draw if that is what White wants.

(d) It is not usually wise to block up a Bishop in this fashion.

(e) Fearing perhaps R to Kt 6, but nothing in that move, and therefore better to leave matters as they stood.

(f) I am inclined to think that P takes Pen passant, followed by R to KB sq, would be a pretty good line of play. No doubt it looks dangerous in certain respects, but the danger seems to melt away when closely examined.

(g) He cannot check, for Black will without any scruple sacrifice the exchange. Something is to be said for B to K 6, but on the whole his best play would seem to be B P takes Kt, after which with a correct defence he ought to be able to draw. As it is he is pretty certain to lose, for the spared Knight will be like a cat let loose amongst mice.

GAME 150.

therefore there is not much reason for apprehension.

(c) The game ought now to end in a draw, because though White has Knight 26 P to K Kt 4 (b) against Bishop the other has no weak

27 P to B 5 28Q takes O

29 R to K sq

30 R takes R (ch)

31 K to K 2

32 K to Q 3

33 P to B 4 34 P takes P

35 K to K 3

36 B to K 2

37 P to KR 3

37 K to Q 3

38 K to B 3

38 B to B 3

39 K to Q 3

40 Kt to Q 3

40 P to Kt 3

Pawns that may be operated against. An important item of consideration in this behalf is that White cannot keep possession of the open file nor make any use thereof before having to quit the

same.

(d) If Kt to B 6 then P to O R4. That point being therefore only weak in appearance, and Black's position being in all other respects impregnable the game is an undoubted draw. I do not say Mr. Blackburne is not justified in going on. I think he is, to a certain extent, for there are points well worth trying and he is dealing with a comparatively speaking untested opponent. However, I certainly think the trying process went on for much too long a time. Possibly neither party liked to propose a draw.

(e) All this is excessively dreary.

(f) Which loses, and it is a great pity considering how much patience and watchful skill has been displayed by Black up to this point. No censure can in any way attach to him on account of this mistake for the brain, after monotouously swinging backwards and forwards for a prolonged period gets dizzy. White will now get to B 6, and carry off that Rooks Pawn.

Herr PITSCHEL. 1 P to Q B4 2 P to K 3

3 Kt to K B 3

4 P to Q Kt 3

5 B to Kt 2

6 B to K 2

7 Castles

8 Kt tổ QB 3

9 Kt to K sq

10 P to KB 4

11 B to B 3

12 Pto Q4

13 P to QR 3

14 Kt to Q 3

15 B to B sq

16 Kt to K 5

17 R to R 2

18 R to Q 2

19 P to K Kt 3

20 R to R 2

21 Kt to Q 3

Black.

49 K to Kt 4

50 P to R 5

51 P to R6

52 K to B 3

53 Kt to K sq

54 Kt to Q 3

55 K to Q 2

55 K to B 3

56 Kt to B

56 K to K 3

17 KR to QB sq

18 Q Kt to K sq

20 P to Q 3

21 R to B 2

sq

White.

Mr. GIFFORD.

2 Kt to KB 3

Mr. BLACKBURNE.

1 P to K 4

3 Kt to B 3

4 B to B 4

73 K to Q 3

74 K to B 3

75 K to Kt 4 76 K to Kt 3 77 Kt to B 3

78 K to B 2

79 Kt to R 2 80 Kt to Kt 4 81 Kt to B 6

82 Kt takes P

83 Kt to B 6

84 Kt to K 5

73 K to Q3

74 K to Q 2

75 B to Q 3 (ch)

76 B to B 2

77 K to K 3
78 K to Q 3 (f)
79 B to sq
80 K to Q 2
81 B to K 2

82 K to B 2

85 Kt to Q 7, and wins.

12 Q to KB 3 13 Q to KR 5 14 Q to R 4

15 B to Q 2

16 P to KB 4 17Q to K sq 18 P to B 5

19 Q takes Q 20 K to R2

10 Q to QB sq (a) 11 P takes B

12 Kt to KR. 2 13 Kt to B 3

14 Q to R 3 (b) 15 Castles R 16 P to K Kt 4 17 Kt to R 4

22 P to QR 4

22 P to QR 3

(a) Through Black's method of open

25 B to B 2

25 B to B 3

ing the game White has the superiority.

26 R to K sq

26 P to B 3

to a draw at the best.

It may not be sufficient to win, but at any rate the opponent can only look forward

(b) This looks unsafe, but the Queen and Bishop command the right diagonals,

27 K to Kt 3

27 R to K 4

28 Kt to Q 2

28 KR to K sq

of eccentricity arises from the fact that having intended a certain line of attack, he finds the opponent to be stronger than he had counted upon.

(b) Having taken nothing by his motion. Better to have captured the Pawn last move.

(c) This bold device does not surprise one coming from Mr. Blackburne. Its soundness against best play is questionable. The idea, I believe, is if 37 B Ptakes P then Q to Kt 4, 38 R to B 3 B to K3 with B to Q 4 as the continuation.

(d) This makes matters very comfortable for Black, seeing that now B P cannot take P.

(e) This, as will be seen, has to be followed up by the sacrifice of the exchange, and though the attack obtained may seem a sufficient justification, yet where is the necessity with such an impregnable position. I would decidedly prefer here Q to K 2.

(f) This is too absurd!

GAME 153.

Played in the Third Round on the 25th June.

Sicilian Defence.

White.

Capt. MACKENZIE.

1 P to K 4
2 Kt to QB 3
3 Kt to KB 3
4 B to Q Kt 5 (a)
5 B to B 4 (b)

6 P to Q R 4
7 P to Q 3
8 Kt takes Kt
9 Castles
10 B to K B 4
II Q to Q 2
12 B to K Kt 3
13 Kt to Q sq
14 P to QB 3 (c)
15 P takes Kt
16 P takes P
17 P to K B 4
18 P to Q Kt 4
19 P to K B 5
20 P takes P
21 Q to Q 3
22 Kt to Kt 2
23 P to Q Kt 5

24 Q R to Q B sq

25 Q to Q Kt 3

Black. Prof. ANDERSSEN.

I P to QB 4

2 P to K 3

3 Kt to QB 3 4 Kt to Q5

5 P to Q R 3

6 Kt to K 2

7 K Kt to Q B 3 8 Kt takes Kt 9 P to K Kt 3 10 P to Q 3 II P to KR 3 12 B to Q 2 13 P to Q Kt 4 14 P takes B

White

35 Kt to K sq 36 Kt to B 2 37 P to K 4 38 P to K 5 39 P takes P 40 P to KR 4 41 P to K Kt 3 42 Kt to K sq 43 Kt to KB 3 44 P to KR 5 45 Kt to B 4 46 P to KR 6 47 P to Kt 6 ch 48 P to Kt 7 49 Kt to R 5 (d)

35

Black.

K to Q 2 36 K to B 3 37 P to KB 4 38 P to K Kt 4 (b) 39 K to Q 2 40 K to K sq 41 K to B 2 42 B to Q sq 43 B to Q Kt 3 44 B to Q sq 45 Kt to Q B 2 46 B to K 2 (c) 47 K to Kt sq 48 K to B 2 49 Kt to K sq 50 Kt to B 2 51 B to Q sq

50

Kt to B 4

51

K to B 2

52 K to Kt sq

52 B to K 2

53

K to Kt 2

53 K to Kt sq

54

Kt to R 5

54 Kt to K sq

55

Kt to B 4

55 Kt to B 2

56 Kt to R3

56 Kt to Kt 4 57 Kt to B 2 58 Kt to K sq 59 K to B 2 60 Kt to B 2 61 K to Kt sq 62 K to B 2 63 P takes P 64 Kt to K sq 65 K to Kt sq 66 B to Q sq 67 B to K 2

There is one

late. This Knight is of no use at R 5 at present, and the same remark applies to the two subsequent occasions when it alights on that square. way of winning, and one only: both Knights must be so placed that they can bear on K B 6. This being so, the correct line of play here is Kt to Kt 2, followed by Kt to K 3, and then P to Kt 4. White by a process of exhaustion rather than of reflection, ultimately, as will be seen, gets hold of the right bell rope.

(e) Two moves later the Knight checks, but why not now, seeing that it is the same position?

(f) Because the King cannot move on account of Kt to K 5 ch; and if the Bishop go away, then P to B 7 ch, followed by Kt to B 6, brings on the death rattle, but the Bishop must go away after the Q Kt P is disposed of.

GAME 155.

up,

(a) In order to keep Black locked but he throws away a Pawn in doing so. It would be hard to say he was not justified, seeing that the apparent alternative was 21 Kt to Kt 3, Q to B 2, 22 P to Q Kt 3, B takes Kt, 23 P takes B, P to B 4, and certainly White would not seem to have much on. My own idea would very likely have been Kt to K sq, with the idea of keeping both the position and the Pawn and letting the attack wait a little while. (b) I fancy Black has time for P to Q R 4, threatening P to Q Kt 3, which diversion, with the aid of Kt to Kt 2,

July.

Ruy Lopez.

Capt. MACKENZIE.

i P to K 4

2 Kt to K B 3 3 B to Kt 5 4 B to R 4 5 Castles 6 R to K sq 7 B takes Kt 8 P to Q 4 9 Kt takes P 10 B to K 3 11 P to KB 4 12 Kt to K B 3 13 Kt to B 3 14 Kt to K 2 15 Q to Q 2 16 P to QB 4 17 P to QB 5 18 P to KR 3 19 K to R 2 20 R to K Kt sq 21 P to K Kt 4 (a) 22 Q R to K B sq 23 Kt to Kt 3 24 P to K B 5 25 R takes B 26 Q to K B 2 27 P to R 4 28 Kt to K 2 29 P to K Kt 5 30 P to Kt 6 31 P takes P 32 R to Kt 6 (c) 33 B takes Kt 34 B to KB 4 35 R takes Q 36 P to KR 5 37 K to Kt 3 38 R to KR 2 39 B to K3 40 K to B

3

Mr. GIFFORD. 1 P to K 4

2 Kt to B 3

3 P to Q R 3

4 Kt to K B 3 5 Kt takes KP

6 Kt to B 4

7 Q P takes B

8 Kt to K 3

9 B to K 2

10 Castles
11 P to KB 3
12 Q to Q 4
13 Q to KR 4
14 B to Q 3

15 B to Q 2

16 Q R to K sq y

17 B to K 2

18 Kt to Q sq

19 B to K 3

20 B to Q 4 21 Q to B 2 22 B takes RP 23 B to Q 4 24 B takes Kt

25 Q to Q 4

White. This, of course, is upon the assumption that the forthcoming attack can be withstood, and I think it can, especially as Black's pieces would soon be free enough to operate in all directions.

(c) The exchange could practically be won by Q to Kt 3, but it would be a dubious gain.

(d) This loses, which is a great pity,

after such a long, skilful and successful defence under the most difficult circum

stances. By taking with the Rook he

would have drawn.

4

Captain MACKENZIE, 1 P to K 4 2 Kt to QB 3 3 Kt to KB 3 4 B to Q Kt 5 5 B to Q B 6 P to KR 3 7 P to Q R 3 8 P to Q3 9 B to Q R 2 10 R takes B II Castles 12 Kt to K 2 13 P to K Kt 4 (a) 14 K to Kt 2 15 B takes Kt 16 Kt takes Kt 17 Q to Q 2 18 Q R to Q R sq 19 Q R to K sq 20 Q to K 2

Black.

44 R to K R5

45 R to KB 5

46 R takes R
47 R to K R sq
48 R to KR 6 ch

49 P to Q R 4
50 P to Q R 5
51 P to Q Kt 3
52 R to KR 7 ch
53 Kt to K B5
54 R takes B ch
55 R takes Q Kt P
56 K to Q 2