Part 23

The first three moves are those of the Giuoco Piano. The last move constitutes the Evans Gambit. The object of sacrificing the Kt P is to establish a centre through the advance of the Q B P and Q P; to open an outlet for the Q and Q B, and so obtain a quick development of the pieces, and consequently a powerful attack.

4. B takes P

If 4. ... Kt takes P, White replies with 5. P to B 3, and after 5. ... Kt to Q B 3 the position is the same.

5. P to B 3 5. B to Q B 4

The Bishop may also retire to R 4, to Q 3, or to K 2. The two last mentioned moves cannot be recommended, and may be dismissed; but it is desirable to know the variations arising from 5. ... B to R 4, which is preferred by many eminent players.

6. P to Q 4 6. P takes P 7. Castles ...

White may also play here 7. P takes P, to which Black's best reply is 7. ... B to Kt 3, and not 7. ... B to Kt 5; ch.

... 7. P to Q 3

This is the only safe move in this variation. 7. ... P takes P, would be bad unless, on the fifth move, Black had played B to R 4, when the so-called "compromised" defence would have ensued. {365}

7. ... Kt to B 3, which seems a plausible move here, would involve the probable loss of the game--_e.g._:

7. ... 7. Kt to B 3 8. P takes P 8. B to Kt 3 9. P to K 5 9. P to Q 4 10. P takes Kt 10. P takes B 11. R to K sq.: ch. 11. K to B sq. 12. B to R 3: ch. 12. K to Kt sq. 13. P to Q 5 13. Kt to R 4 14. B to K 7 14. Q to Q 2 15. P takes P 15. K takes P 16. Q to Q 2 16. Q to Kt 5 17. Q to B 3: ch. 17. K to Kt sq. 18. Q takes R: ch. 18. K takes Q 19. B to B 6: ch. 19. K to Kt sq. (or Q to Kt 2) 20. R to K 8: checkmate

8. P takes P 8. B to Kt 3 9. P to Q 5 9. Kt to R 4

The best move. It is the Normal Defence to the previous move, which constitutes the Normal Attack.

9. ... Kt to K 4 would be unfavourable, because of 10. Kt takes Kt, P takes Kt; 11. B to R 3, B to Q 5 (?); 12. Kt to Q 2, B takes R; 13. Q takes B, P to K B 3; 14. P to B 4, and should win. The alternative Knight's move--viz., 9. ... Q Kt to K 2, is also inferior, because of 10. P to K 5, Kt to R 3 (!); 11. Kt to B 3, Castles; 12. Kt to K 4, with a good attack.

10. B to Kt 2 10. Kt to K 2 (!)

One of the chief points of the Evans Gambit is that Black's Q Kt is driven to Q R 4, and has to remain there for some time inactive, so that Black is, for the time being, practically a piece _minus_ for the defence. White must, therefore prevent as long as possible this Knight from coming into play. It will be seen that Black could not have played 10. ... Kt takes B, because in such case 11. B takes K Kt P, winning the exchange.

11. B to Q 3 ...

{366}

If White had here played 11. B takes P instead of the text move, the continuation might probably have been--

11. B takes P 11. R to K Kt sq. 12. B to B 6 12. Kt takes B 13. Q to R 4: ch. 13. Q to Q 2 14. Q takes Kt 14. R takes P: ch. 15. K takes R 15. Q to Kt 5: ch. 16. K to R sq. 16. Q takes Kt: ch. 17. K to Kt sq. 17. B to R 6, and wins.

... 11. Castles 12. Kt to B 3 12. Kt to Kt 3 13. Kt to K 2 13. P to Q B 4

White concentrates his forces for an attack on the King's side, whilst Black, being stronger on the Queen's side, must try to create a diversion on that side.

14. Q to Q 2 14. P to B 3 15. K to R sq. ...

The King's move is necessary, else Black could play 15.... Kt to K 4; 16. Kt takes Kt, B P takes Kt, and White could not reply 17. P to B 4 (an essential move for the attack), because Black would then win a piece with 17.... P to B 5; discovering check, and attacking the Bishop at the same time.

... 15. B to B 2

This Bishop being now comparatively useless at Kt 3, since the White King has quitted the black diagonal, retires, in order to make room for the advance of the pawns.

16. Q R to B sq. 16. R to Kt sq.

To support the advance of the Kt P.

17. Kt to Kt 3 17. P to Kt 4 18. Kt to B 5 18. P to B 5

It is an essential point in the defense to prevent White's Knight from being posted at K 6. If White is able to {367} accomplish this, his attack becomes so powerful that it cannot be withstood. It would, therefore, be bad for Black to play, instead of the move given in the text, 18.... B takes Kt, because of 19. P takes B, Kt to K 4; 20. B takes Kt, B P takes B; 21. Kt to Kt 5, followed by 22. Kt to K 6 (the dangerous move just pointed out).

Black. +---------------------------------------+ | | #R | #B | #Q | | #R | #K | | |---------------------------------------| | #P | | #B | | | | #P | #P | |---------------------------------------| | | | | #P | | #P | #Kt| | |---------------------------------------| | #Kt| #P | | ^P | | ^Kt| | | |---------------------------------------| | | | #P | | ^P | | | | |---------------------------------------| | | | | | | ^Kt| | | |---------------------------------------| | ^P | ^B | | ^Q | ^B | ^P | ^P | ^P | |---------------------------------------| | | | ^R | | | ^R | | ^K | +---------------------------------------+ White.

FIG. 9. [POSITION AFTER WHITE'S 19TH MOVE.]

19. B to K 2 ...

Not 19. B to Kt sq. White wants to keep a pressure upon Black's pawns. The position is now as shown in Fig 9. Neither side has as yet gained any marked advantage. {368}

SECOND VARIATION.

Repeat Opening to Black's eighth move inclusive.

Kt to B 3 9. ------------- B to Kt 5[82]

B to Q Kt 5 10. -------------- K to B sq.[83]

B to K 3 11. -------- K Kt to K 2

P to Q R 4[84] 12. -------------- Kt to R 4[85]

P to Q 5 13. --------- B takes B

P takes B 14. ---------- Kt to Kt 3

K to R sq.[86] 15. -------------- P to K R 3

Kt to K 2 16. ---------- P to Q B 4

With the better game.

THIRD VARIATION.

Repeat Second Variation up to White's ninth move inclusive.

... B takes Kt 9. --------- 16. ---------- Kt to R 4 R takes Kt

B to Kt 5 Kt takes R 10. ---------- 17. ---------- Kt to Kt 2 Q takes B

Kt to Q 5 Kt to Kt 5 11. ---------- 18. ---------- P to K B 3 K to Kt 3

B takes P Kt to B 3 12. --------- 19. --------- P takes B B to Kt 5

Kt takes P: ch. Kt to K 5: ch. 13. --------------- 20. -------------- K to B sq. K to R 4

Kt to Kt 5 Kt takes B 14. ------------ 21. ---------- Kt to Kt sq. Q takes Kt

Kt(Kt5) takes P: ch. Even game. 15. -------------------- K to Kt 2

{369}

FOURTH VARIATION.

Repeat Third Variation up to Black's tenth move inclusive.

B takes P: ch. Q to R 5 11. -------------- 15. ---------- K takes B P to K R 3

Kt to Q 5 Q to Kt 6 12. ---------- 16. ---------- R to K sq. P takes Kt

B takes Kt Kt to B 6: ch. 13. ---------- 17. -------------- R takes B K to B sq.

Kt to Kt 5: ch. Kt to R 7: ch. 14. --------------- 18. -------------- K to Kt sq. K to Kt sq.

And White draws by perpetual check.

THE "COMPROMISED" DEFENCE TO THE EVANS GAMBIT.

WHITE. BLACK. 1. P to K 4 1. P to K 4 2. Kt to K B 3 2. Kt to Q B 3 3. B to B 4 3. B to B 4 4. P to Q Kt 4 4. B takes P 5. P to B 3 5. B to R 4

By retiring the Bishop to R 4, instead of to B 4 as in the previous variations, Black reserves the option of adopting either the "Compromised" or the "Normal" Defence. {370}

6. P to Q 4 6. P takes P 7. Castles 7. P takes P

The capture of this, the third Pawn, constitutes the "Compromised" Defence, so called because it was formerly considered that this capture compromised Black's game.

8. Q to Kt 3 8. Q to B 3 9. P to K 5 9. Q to Kt 3

If 9. ... Kt takes P, White would win with 10. R to K sq., P to Q 3. 11. Kt takes Kt, P takes Kt. 12. Q to R 4, or Kt 5: ch., winning a piece.

10. Kt takes P 10. K Kt to K 2 11. B to R 3 11. Castles 12. Kt to Q 5 12. Kt takes Kt 13. B takes Kt ...

If White were to capture the Rook, the course of the game would probably be as follows--

13. B takes R 13. Kt to B 5 (!) 14. Kt to R 4 14. Q to Kt 5 15. Q to Kt 3 15. P to Q 4 16. Q takes Q 16. B takes Q

And White must lose one of the two attacked Bishops.

... 13. P to Q 3 14. P takes P 14. P takes P 15. Q R to Q sq. 15. R to Q sq. 16. Q to R 4 ...

Threatening to win a piece with 17. B takes Kt.

... 17. B to Kt 3 18. B takes Kt 18. P takes B 19. Q takes B P 19. R to Kt sq. 20. R takes P 20. B to K 3

The only defence, for Queen and Rook are {371} attacked, and he cannot play 20. ... R takes R, because of 21. Q to K 8 mate.

21. K R to Q sq.

Threatening 22. R takes R: ch., R takes R: 23. R takes R: ch., B takes R; 24. Q to K 8: mate.

... 21. P to K R 3

The position being perfectly even, the game should result in a draw. There is no danger now for Black to lose a piece, because after 22. R takes R: ch., R takes R: 23. R takes R: ch., B takes R; 24. Q to K 8: ch., K to R 2, White cannot play 25. Q takes B, because of 25. ... Q to Kt 8: mate.

SECOND VARIATION.

Repeat the opening from preceding game up to White's 9th move.

B to Kt 5[87] Q takes B 9. ------------- 11. ------------ Q to Kt 3 P to B 3[88]

Kt takes P B to B 4 10. ---------- 12. -------- B takes Kt P to Q 3

With the better game.

THE EVANS GAMBIT DECLINED.

From the foregoing illustrations of the Evans Gambit, it will be seen that this opening is exceedingly complicated both for the attack and the defence. It is safer for Black to _decline_ accepting the gambit, which is done by playing 4. ... B to {372} Kt 3. The opening is then reduced to a Giuoco Piano, White having (theoretically speaking) compromised his pawns on the Queen's side by having advanced them prematurely, which advance may prove a weakness in the ending.

WHITE. BLACK. 1. P to K 4 1. P to K 4 2. Kt to K B 3 2. Kt to Q B 3 3. B to B 4 3. B to B 4 4. P to Q Kt 4 4. B to Kt 3 5. P to Q R 4

The best move. 5. P to Kt 5 is inferior, as shown exhaustively in the following variations:--

5. P to Kt 5 5. Kt to R 4 6. Kt takes P 6. Kt to R 3 (!) 7. P to Q 4 7. P to Q 3 8. B takes Kt 8. P takes B

Not 8. ... P takes Kt, because of 9. B takes P, R to K Kt sq.; 10. B takes P: ch., K takes B; 11. B takes P, Q to Kt 4; 12. P to Kt 3, B to Kt 5; 13. P to B 3, with four pawns for a piece, which is more than an equivalent.

9. Kt takes P ...

Not 9. B takes P: ch., because of 9. ... K to K 2; 10. Q to B 3, R to B sq. (!); 11. Kt to Q B 3, B to K 3; 12. Q to B 5, B takes B (if 12. ... B takes Q; 13. Kt to Q 5, mate), and wins; or 12. Q to R 5, then P takes Kt, and wins.

... 9. Q to B 3 10. Q to R 5 ...

Not 10. Kt takes R, became of 10. ... B takes P; 11. Q to R 5: ch., K to K 2; 12. Q to B 7: ch., Q takes Q; 13. B takes Q, B takes R, and wins. Equally bad would be 10. P to K 5, P takes P; 11. Kt takes P, Kt takes B; 12. Kt takes Kt, B takes P, and wins.

... 10. Castles (quite legal) 11. Kt takes R P: dble. ch. 11. K to Kt 2 12. Kt to Kt 4 12. B takes Kt 13. Q takes B: ch. 13. K to R sq. 14. Q to K 2 14. B takes P, and wins.

{373}

... 5. Q P to R 3

Not 5. ... Kt takes P, which would be met by 6. P to R 5, with a winning attack. And not 5. ... P to Q R 4, which is inferior to the text move, and weakens the pawns on the Queen's side for the End game.

6. Castles 6. P to Q 3 7. P to B 3 7. Kt to B 3 8. P to Q 3

The position is now equivalent to the Giuoco Piano, except that White has advanced his Queen's side pawns, which is a slight disadvantage.

THE TWO KNIGHTS' DEFENCE.

Reverting to the opening moves of the Giuoco Piano, in answer to 3. B to B 4, Black may play (instead of 3. ... B to B 4), 3. ... Kt to B 3. This constitutes the _Two Knights' Defence_. White may continue with 4. P to Q 3, or Kt to B 3, or adopt a more spirited line of play with 4. Kt to Kt 5. Black's defences being 4. ... P to Q 4. or 4. ... Kt takes P. We append one or two leading variations:

WHITE. BLACK. 1. P to K 4 1. P to K 4 2. Kt to K B 3 2. Kt to Q B 3 3. B to B 4 3. Kt to B 3 4. Kt to Kt 5 ...

In the Giuoco Piano, where Black's Knight would be still at Kt sq., this advance would be bad, because Black could reply 4. ... Kt to R 3, {374} defending the K B P. Here, however, it is the best move. Black's best defence is

... 4. P to Q 4 5. P takes P 5. Kt. takes P (?)

Not to be recommended. The best move is 5. ... Kt to Q R 4.

6. Kt takes B P (!) 6. K takes Kt 7. Q to B 3: ch. 7. K to K 3

{375} In order to defend the Knight, which is twice attacked. 7. ... Q to B 3 would be bad policy, for in such case White would play 8. B takes Kt: ch., B to K 3; 9. B takes Kt, P takes B; 10. Q takes P, with three Pawns ahead.

8. Kt to B 3 8. Kt to K 2

White attacking the Knight once more, and Black defending it again.

9. P to Q 4 9. P to B 3

And we have the position depicted in Fig. 10. Black could not play 9. ... P takes P, for fear of 10. Q to K 4: ch., winning back the piece.

Black. +---------------------------------------+ | #R | | #B | #Q | | #B | | #R | |---------------------------------------| | #P | #P | | | #Kt| | #P | #P | |---------------------------------------| | | | #P | | #K | | | | |---------------------------------------| | | | | #Kt| #P | | | | |---------------------------------------| | | | ^B | ^P | | | | | |---------------------------------------| | | | ^Kt| | | ^Q | | | |---------------------------------------| | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P | |---------------------------------------| | ^R | | ^B | | ^K | | | ^R | +---------------------------------------+ White.

FIG. 10. [POSITION AFTER BLACK'S 9TH MOVE.]

10. B to K Kt 5 ...

Pinning the Knight, so as to take off one of the defences of the Kt at Q 4.

... 10. K to Q 2 11. P takes P 11. K to K sq. 12. Castles Q R 12. B to K 3 13. Kt takes Kt 13. B takes Kt 14. R takes B 14. P takes R 15. B to Kt 5: ch. 15. Kt to B 3 16. B takes Q 16. R takes B 17. P to K 6, and wins.

SECOND VARIATION.

Repeat as far as White's 8th move inclusive.

Should Black play, instead of 8. ... Kt to K 2, 8. ... Kt to Kt 5, the following variations may ensue:

{376}

9. Q to K 4 9. P to Q Kt 4 10. B to Kt 3 10. P to B 4 11. Kt takes P 11. B to R 3 12. P to Q R 4 12. R to B sq. 13. P to Q 3 13. B to K 2 14. Castles ...

White threatens now a formidable attack with 15. P to K B 4, to be followed by attacking the Knight with the Q B P, and so to win back the piece.

... 14. B to Kt 2 15. P to Q B 3 15. P to Q R 3

If 15. ... Kt to R 3, White would win with 16. P to K B 4.

16. Q to Kt 4: ch. 16. K to B 2 17. P to K B 4 17. R to B sq. (best) 18. P takes P: dis. ch. 18. K to Kt sq. 19. B to R 6 (!) 19. R takes R: ch. 20. R takes R 20. B to B sq. 21. Kt to Q 6, and wins.

For the immediate threat, 22. Q to K 6: ch., or Kt takes B, is fatal.

THIRD VARIATION.

Repeat the Opening up to Black's 5th move.

{377}

... Q to K 2 5. --------------- 14. -------- Kt to Q R 4[89] Castles

B to Kt 5: ch. P takes B 6. -------------- 15. ---------- P to B 3 R to K sq.

P takes P Castles 7. --------- 16. --------- P takes P R takes P

B to K 2[90] B to K B 4 8. ------------ 17. -------------- P to K R 3 Q to Kt 3: ch.

Kt to K B 3 Q to B 2 9. ----------- 18. -------------- P to K 5 Q takes Q: ch.

Kt to K 5 R takes Q 10. --------- 19. ------------- Q to B 2 R to K 8: ch.

P to K B 4 R to B sq. 11. ---------- 20. -------------- B to Q 3 R takes R: ch.

P to Q 4 K takes R, &c. 12. ---------------- 21. -------------- P takes P _e.p._ ...

B takes P White has the better pawn 13. ---------- position on the Queen's side. B takes Kt

THE RUY LOPEZ.

This Opening, invented by the Spaniard Ruy Lopez in the sixteenth century, is still resorted to in tournaments and matches, where caution and safety are essential. Instead of developing the Bishop to Q B 4 with the intention of an attack upon Black's weakest point--viz., the K B P, White plays 3. B to Q Kt 5, threatening 4. B takes Kt, and 5. Kt takes P. In answer to 3. B to Kt 5, Black may play 3. ... P to Q R 3; 3. ... K Kt to B 3 (best); 3. ... K Kt to K 2 (not so good); 3. ... B to B 4; 3. ... Kt to Q 5 (not to be recommended); 3. ... P to Q 3 (a safe, but dull defence); 3. ... P to B 4 (risky); and 3. ... P to K Kt 3, the latter involving the development of the K B to Kt 2.

White's replies are, in answer to 3. ... P to Q R 3; 4. B takes Kt; or 4. B to R 4. And in answer to 3. ... Kt to B 3; 4. Kt to B 3; 4. P to Q 3; 4. Q to K 2; 4. P to Q 4, or 4. Castles. {378}

The main defences are 3. ... P to Q R 3, and 3. ... Kt to B 3. The latter is to be preferred; for to a certain extent the White Bishop is not in such a favourable position at Kt 5 as at R 4; it should, therefore, not be driven into a better one.

WHITE. BLACK. 1. P to K 4 1. P to K 4 2. Kt to K B 3 2. Kt to Q B 3 3. B to Kt 5

These moves complete the Ruy Lopez Opening.

... 3. P to Q R 3 4. B to R 4 ...

White could here temporarily win a pawn with 4. B takes Kt, Q P takes B, 5. Kt takes P. But 5. ... Q to Q 5 wins it back for Black; it is, therefore, useless to exchange the powerful King's Bishop.

... 4. Kt to B 3 5. P to Q 3 5. P to Q 3

This is the quietest form of the Lopez and may be adopted with safety.

6. Kt to B 3 6. B to Q 2 7. Castles 7. B to K 2 8. P to Q 4 8. P to Q Kt 4 9. P takes P 9. Q Kt takes P 10. Kt takes Kt 10. P takes Kt 11. B to Kt 3 11. Castles 12. B to Kt 5 12. P to Q R 4

A good move, as it anticipates White's advance of the Q R P, and thus renders the Queen's side safe.

13. B takes Kt 13. B takes B 14. P to Q R 4 14. P to Kt 5

It would be bad to play here 14. ... P takes P, {379} because it not only would give White an open Rook's file, but also _isolate_ Black's R P and Q B P, a weakness from which he could not recover against the best play.

Neither side has so far gained any material advantage.

SECOND VARIATION.

Repeat the first five moves on either side.

P to B 3 Kt to Kt 3 6. ----------- 9. ----------- P to K Kt 3 P to Q Kt 4

Q Kt to Q 2 B to B 2 7. ----------- 10. -------- B to Kt 2 P to Q 4

Kt to B sq. Castles 8. ----------- 11. -------- Castles Q to Q 3

Even game.

THIRD VARIATION.

Repeat first four moves on either side.

P to Q 3 B takes Kt 5. -------- 9. ------------ B to B 4 Kt P takes B

P to B 3 Kt takes P 6. ------------ 10. ---------- Q to K 2 (!) Kt takes P

Castles R to K sq. 7. ------- 11. ---------- Castles P to K B 4

P to Q 4 Kt to Q 2 8. --------- 12. --------- B to Kt 3 Q to B 3

Even game.

FOURTH VARIATION.

Repeat first four moves as above.

Castles 5. ---------- Kt takes P

P to Q 4 6. ----------- P to Q Kt 4

{380} Kt takes P 7. --------------- Kt takes Kt[91]

P takes Kt 8. ------------ P to Q 3[92]

P takes P 9. -------------- Kt takes P[93]

B to Kt 3 10. --------- B to K 2

Q to B 3 11. ------------- R to Q Kt sq.

Not 11. ... B to Kt 2, because of 12. B takes P ch., Kt takes B; 13. Q takes B, &c.

About an even game.

At the present day, however, as we have said, the defence of 3. ... P to Q R 3 is discarded by the best authorities in favour of 3. ... Kt to K B 3. The game may then proceed as follows:

4. Castles 4. Kt takes P 5. P to Q 4 5. B to K 2 6. Q to K 2 6. Kt to Q 3 (!) 7. B takes Kt 7. Kt P takes B (!)