1 P to K 4

Scotch Gambit.

1 P to K 4

2 Kt to O B 3

3 P takes P

4Q to R 5 (a)
5 B to B 4 (c)
6Q takes KP

7 K to Q sq (e)
8 Q to K 4

9 B to Kt 5 ch

10 B takes P ch

11 Q takes P ch

12 Q takes K Kt (f)

13 K Kt to K 2

14 P to Q 3

15 B to K 3

16 R to K Kt sq

17 B to Q4 (g)

18 B takes Kt (h)

19 K to Q 2

20 Q to Q5

21 P takes B

30 R to Q 7

31 R takes KRP

32 P to Kt 3 ch

33 K to Kt sq

29 R to Kt 3

32 K to B 6

33 R to KB sq

White mates in four moves (j)

(a) Black is to be commended for playing such a valorous continuation. Too often the opponents of blindfold players adopt close, or at any rate cautious defences. In personal matches this is justifiable enough, and were it otherwise, I could not throw stones; but in blindfold exhibitions the players should aim at making their games interesting to the spectators, nor should they desire to harass the performer by methods of play, which while not really giving them any more chances have the effect of making the performance a tedious and much lengthened affair.

(b) Mr. Blackburne considers this to be a pretty fair continuation, and no one can be more qualified to express

an

GAMES.

Noted by W. N. POTTER.

KP, but White could then obtain a good
attack by Kt to Q 2.

(d) This eccentric movement was, I
understand, adopted from a desire to have!
some fun. Kt to QB 3 is, no doubt, the
soundest continuation.

(e) K to B sq is preferable, though in answer thereto, Kt to Q 2 would give

White a tolerable amount of resource.

(f) As the reward of his enterprising spirit, Black has now a very good game,

and were he somewhat nearer

his

opponents' strength, might expect to win.
Mr Blackburne, however, is most to be
feared when bereft of his Pawns, so very
powerful is he in piece-play.

(g) He has but a slender attack on the

King's side, nor can he do anything to

strengthen it. I think, therefore, that he
might as well take the adverse QRP in
order, ultimately, to run down with his
own ORP. The course I suggest would
enable him to make some sacrifice, if the
attack became too hot, and yet retain an,
advantage.

(h) Which must have made Mr. Black-
burne love his enemy very much. With
two Bishops against two Knights, and all
those open files to work upon, he will
most likely find a way to the palpitating
heart of Black's position very soon.

(i) He has not been long about it. This is a fine stroke of play. Black, as will be seen, cannot comfortably take with either King or Queen.

(j) Viz.:-34 R to B 3 ch, K to Kt 5, 35 P to B 4, R to KR 3, 36 R takes R, R to KR sq, 37 P to R 3 mate.

GAME 20৪.

Centre Counter Gambit.

White.

Mr. BLACKBURNE.

1 P to K 4
2 P takes P

3 Kt to Q B3

4 P to 04
5 B to Q3

6 Kt to B 3
7 Castles

8 B to K Kt 5
9 R to K sq
100 to K 2 (b)

11 Kt to K 4

12 Kt takes B
13 Kt to K 5
14 Q to R 5 (c)
15 Q to R 4
16 P to QB 4 (d)

opinion upon the subject, having regard 17 B to Kt sq

to the special attention which he has devoted to this opening.

18 P takes P
19 P to QR 3

(c) He would be justified in taking the 20 Kt takes Kt

Black.

Mr. IMBREY.

(a) The opening has run on its natural lines, and Black has the kind of game which should result from it. His position is safe enough as it stands; but then positions cannot keep on standing. Moves must be made, and this enforced motion must produce weakness somewhere or other It may be laid down as an almost invariable rule that a strongly defensive position is not an advantage early in the game, the reason being that, as its undeviating correlative, the other side will have too much freedom of play and of initiative. However, Mr. Imbrey has un. doubtedly as good a game as can be expected from the Centre Counter Gambit.

(b) A good move, and one showing that Mr. Blackburne, notwithstanding his genius for combination, understands all about position-play. O to Q2 may, at first sight, seem preferable, but then P to KR 3 threatening B to B 5 afterwards.

(c) Which is all very skilful. Black must now advance the KBPa step | further, with increased weakness as the

Morphy Chess Club. obvious consequence.

1 P to Q 4

2 O takes P

30 to sq

4 P to K 3

5 Kt to KB 3

6 B to Q 3

7 P to R 3

8 Q Kt to Q 2

9 Q to B 2 (a)

10 Castles

11 Kt to Q4

12 Q takes Kt

13 P to B 3

14 P to KB 4

15 Q Kt to B 3
16 Kt to Q Kt 5
17 P to B 4 (e)
18 Q takes P
19 Kt to B 3
20 Q takes Kt

(d) Mr. Blackburne considers that P to QR 3, as a preliminary, would have been stronger, and I agree with him.

(e) Well judged, undoubtedly.

(f) The use which Mr. Blackburne makes of Rooks in the early part of the game is one of the characteristic features of his play.

(g) B to R2 may seem to promise well; but I prefer the text move.

(h) A slight examination will show that he cannot save the Pawn; ergo, his twentythird move was not commendable.

(i) This also is not good. His best resource is Q to K 3.

(j) If R to Q 6, White wins a piece, by R takes B.

(k) His best play is R to KR 6, followed, if B to Kt 5, by P to KR 3. The game may now be looked upon as over.

8 B to Kt 3 (d) 9 P takes Q P 10 R to K sq ch (e) 11 P to Q 6 12 P takes P 13 BP takes Kt (f) 14 P to Q Kt 4 15 Kt to K 6 ch 16 P takes B 17 Q takes P 18 Q to Q Kt 4 19 Kt to Q B 3 20 P to B 3 21 Kt to R 4 (i) 22 Q to B 3 23 Kt to Kt 6 24 Q takes P (1) 25 P takes P 26 Kt to B 4 (m) 27 K to B 2 28 R to K Kt sq

the same

8 P to Q 4
9 Kt to Q R 4
10 K to B sq
11 Kt takes B
12 Q takes P
13 B to Q 2
14 P to KR 3 (g)
15 B takes Kt
16 K to B 2 (h)
17 Q R to Q sq
18 P to K Kt 4
19 P to B 5
20 KR to K sq
21 P to Q R 4
22 K to Kt 3 (j)
23 P to K Kt 5 (k),
24 P takes P
25 K to R 2
26 Q to Kt 2 ch
27 B to R 6

consciousness of

Black announces mate in 4 moves (a) In adopting this bizarre continuation Mr. Marriott was no doubt actuated by superior strength which caused him to try the experiment of conducting this game without the assistance of board or men. (b) His best move is 5 Q to K 2, P to

Q Kt 4, 6 B to Kt 3, P takes P, 7 Kt takes
P, Kt takes Kt, 8 Q to R 5 ch, Kt to Kt 3,
99 to Q 5, etc. Black, however, could
with some plausibility play 7 Q to Kt 4,
but then 8 P to KB 4, Q takes BP (P takes
Pen passant would lose the Queen on
account of B to B 7 ch), 9 Q to R 5 ch
winning the Exchange at least. However,
the text move is by no means to be con-
demned.

(c) P to K 5 would give some trouble.
(d) There is some plausibility in P to
K 5 still, for I do not consider that the
Pawn could be safely captured. But
there is certainly no complaint to be made
in respect of the actual play.

(e) White misses here an opportunity
of inflicting a serious injury upon his
opponent, e.g., 10 Q to K sq ch, Q to K 2,
11Q takes Kt, B to Kt 5, 12 P to Q 6,
Q takes P, 13 R to K sq ch, and the Queen
escapes.

(f) On principle R P takes Kt would be preferable; but, as will be seen next move, he acts not without an object.

(g) This, to a great extent, neutralises the effect of White's ingenious conception.

(h) Giving up a Pawn, but apparently wisely, for, if Q to Q 2, the enemy might play B to B 4 which would give trouble. By the text move Black gets all his pieces into play.

(i) His best resource is P to Q Kt 3, so as to afford an outlet for the Bishop.

(j) Intending Kt to Q 4, and keeping also in mind B to B 5.

(k) B to B 5 now is specious, but not sound, as may be shown. 23 B to B 5, 24 R takes R, R to Q 8 ch, 25 R to K sq, Q takes P ch, 26 B to K 3, and Black would be thwarted.

(1) This is the crisis. White may either play P to Kt 3, intending pretty soon B to Kt 2, or else should at once bring the Bishop to Q 2.

The former course seems

preferable, though if P takes P, it will be necessary to retake before playing B to

Kt 2.

(m) A blunder; but the game is lost any way, for, if 26 B to Q 2, Black, apart minor pieces and Pawn for Rook, while, if 26 K to B 2, he would play B to R 6 with destructive effect.

from other measures, could obtain two

AN EPILOGUE TO GAME 205, PUBLISHED IN JANUARY NUMBER.

The Editor has handed me a letter received from Mr. L. Johnson, of Nottingham, in which the writer refers to the above mentioned game, and I gather therefrom that he makes the four following complaints:

1. That the White allies were described to be Messrs. Freeborough and Crake, whereas the game was in reality played against the Hull Church Institute Club.

2. That while these names were given there was no mention of the representatives of New Basford, who were in this case Messrs. Marriott and L. Johnson.

3. That I described move 12 (Black's) as "unsatisfactory," whereas it was made in order to simplify the game by giving up the piece in exchange for an equal position in an open end game.

4. That I did not discover that move 17 (Black's) was sent off "on one of the hottest days of last summer," in consequence of which, move 17 was written down Q to B 3, instead of B to Q 3, a transposition which nullified the otherwise satisfactory effect

of move 12.

I believe I have given a faithful condensation of Mr. Johnson's letter, and will now proceed to reply.

1. In the heading to the game, Messrs. Freeborough and Crake are described as being the representatives of the Hull Church Institute. I presume that Mr. Freeborough did not take part in the other games, and did not want to be identified with them. Anyhow, we followed the manuscript.

2. I did not know who where the representatives of New Basford, and therefore could not give their names.

3. I am still of opinion that move 12 is not satisfactory. I may add that I am very strongly of that opinion.

4. I had not time to go to the Times Office and consult its files in order to see what were the variations of temperature during the course of the game. Moreover, I did not know on what day move 17 was made, Mr. Crake having neglected to furnish me with the dates of the various moves. B to Q 3 is certainly better than Q to B 3, and no doubt I ought to have pointed this out-there Mr. Johnson is right enough. White's reply would be 18 Q to K 3. I fail to see where the even game comes in, though no doubt Black would be able to fight. I apprehend that the effect of R to K R 5 in certain positions was to some extent overlooked by the Black allies. They perhaps relied upon K to Kt 3 as an answer, but White could in most cases, leave the Rook en prise and play Q R to K B sq, as for instance-17 B to Q 3, 18 Q to K 3, Q R to K sq, 19 R to KR 5, K to Kt 3, 20 R to K B sq, Q R to K B sq, (if K takes R, then B to B 7 ch, followed by Q to B 2 ch, &c.), 21 R takes P ch R takes R, 22 Q to Kt 5 ch, K to R 2, 23 R takes R with an advantage.

SOLUTION OF MR. F. H. LEWIS' DOUBLE DUMMY PROBLEM, NO. 144.

BY MR. F. H. LEWIS.

X and Z can make 5 tricks against any play of A and B. I give the leading variations :

VARIATION I.

1. A leads Spades, 5; won by B.

2. B leads Spades; A puts Ace; won by A.

3. A leads Spades Knave; X puts Queen; B trumps; won by B.

4. B leads Hearts 8; Z puts Queen; won by Z.

5. Z leads Diamonds 4; B puts Diamonds King; won by B.

6. B leads Hearts King; Zpasses; won by B.

7. B leads Diamonds; Z puts Diamonds Knave; won by A.

8. A leads Hearts Knave; won by Z.

9. Z leads Diamonds Queen; won by Z.

10. Z leads Clubs King; won by B.

11. B leads Clubs Queen; won by B.

12. B leads Clubs; Z discards Diamonds; won by X.

13. X leads Spades; won by Z.

Trick 5.-If B wins with Diamonds 10, he is blocked with

Diamonds King, and has to play Clubs to Z.

VARIATION 2.

1. A leads Clubs; won by B

2. B leads Clubs; won by Z.

3. Z leads Diamonds Queen; won by B.

4. B leads Clubs Queen; Z discards Spades; A discards Diamonds; won by B.

5. B leads Hearts 7, (best); Z puts Queen; won by Z.

6. Z leads Diamonds Knave; won by A.

7. A plays Spades Knave; X passes; won by A.

8. A plays Spades; won by B.

9. B plays Clubs 7; Z discards Diamonds; won by A

10. A plays Spades Ace; B discards Diamonds; won by Z.

11. Z plays Hearts Ace; won by Z.

12. Z plays Diamonds, X trumps, B overtrumps; won by B. 13. B plays Clubs; won by Z.

Trick 9. If B plays trumps, Z wins with the Ace, plays a Diamond, which X trumps, X then leads a Spade, and Z must make one of his trumps.

VARIATION 3.

1. A leads Clubs; won by B.

2. B lead Clubs, won by Z.

3. Z leads Diamonds Queen; won by B.

4. B leads Clubs 7, Z discards Diamonds; won by A.

5. A leads Spades Knave, X leads with Queen; won by B.

6. B leads Clubs Queen, Z trumps with Queen; won by Z. 7. Z leads Hearts Ace; won by Z.

8. Z leads Hearts 9; won by A.

And X and Z must make two more tricks.
VARIATION ON THE HEART LEAD.

If A play Hearts, Z wins, and playing the Hearts Queen, throws the lead back again into A's hands, and Z must then make three trumps, and either Diamonds and Spades or Spades and Clubs or Diamonds and Clubs, thus making again

WHIST JOTTINGS.

WHIST is supposed to be a game of reason. We know our own hand, but we know nothing of the other hand except that each contains 13 cards. Nay, even this is not certain, for it is not uncommon for men with enormous stakes on the rubber to play with 12 cards. We know also what are trumps, and perhaps the trump card. Neither of these things is absolutely certain, or we should not hear that eternal question "what are trumps?" The player who asks what are trumps ought to be ashamed of himself. It is insulting if we play penny points with the children. It shows that we have no interest in the game we are playing. If it is worth while playing for the amusement of others, it is worth while playing well, with spirit, and attention. Without an interest in the game, it is best not to play at all. But if it is inattention or carelessness at home, it is criminal when you are playing for other people's money, and the player who asks "what are trumps?" depend upon it, is not a desirable partner. We are ignorant of the other player's hands until a card is led. As soon as this is done our reasoning faculties commence. A player leads the 3 of a plain suit. In the good old days we did not trouble much about this position. If the question were asked what has he led from? we answered at once, "lowest of 4," or "singleton," according to our diagnosis of the player. Put the same question now, and how should we answer it. We give the same two answers as before, and add Nos. 3 and 4-No. 3 lowest but one, No. 5 any possible number and quality of card. Because we have the lowest but one recognized as orthodox by Cavendish and his school, and we have the erratic player who sometimes from careless. ness, and at other times from design, leads a card which mistifies the uninitiated. We cannot suppress the Peter signal or the lowest but one, nor can we suppress the erratic player, who is often very clever, although the cleverness in the end overreaches himself and partner more often than the adversaries. Of four possible events which we have given none of them can be ascertained until the suit led is touched again. But formerly on the second round all doubt on the subject was dispelled. We knew that the card led was a singleton, or that it was the lowest of four, and we started on a fair foundation, and could be certain of our reasoning. Let us go one step further. Suppose the singleton were developed. We formerly reasoned this player is excessively weak; he has none but weak trumps, and not many of them. Suppose a player led in this way, now we should have to reason on the assumption that the player was an old-fashioned player, and was weak, or that he belonged to a modern school, who would never venture to lead from weakness, except with great strength in trumps, but on the second round now if the 2 falls, on 3 being originally led we have to argue that the player has led lowest but one, and if we know that the player has the lowest but one mania on in a malignant form, we are tolerably certain on the subject.