SYNOPSIS OF THE CHESS OPENINGS. A TABULATED ANALYSIS. BY WILLIAM COOK, A MEMBER OF THE BIRMINGHAM CHESS CLUB. -:0: THIRD EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS AND EMENDATIONS. :0:- LONDON: W. W. MORGAN, 23 GREAT QUEEN STREET, W.C. 1882. HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY DEONTO OF SILAG W. HOWLAND LONDON: PRINTED BY W. W.MORGAN, 23 GREAT QUEEN STREET, W.C. 3 PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. THE Author of the Synopsis has again the satisfaction to learn that the demand for the last Edition has been exhaustive. The Second Edition was issued in 1876, and even during the short space of five years many important discoveries and improved methods of conducting the attack and the defence have been published, and upon reviewing the examples so many imperfections were apparent, and corrections necessary, that the Author saw the necessity of producing an entirely new book. The means at his disposal were adequate to the task, but the preparation of the Tables a labourious undertaking which would considerably delay the publication of a book for which there is still a demand. The Author consulted a few leading members of the Birmingham Club, and they recommended that several proficients should be corresponded with to invite their assistance, but this project met with but little encouragement. A few amateurs, however, undertook the task, for which the writer wishes publicly to express his obligations. To Messrs. A. and M. Michael, Wildman, and Bridgwater, of the Birmingham Club; Mr. Thomas Bourn, of Clevedon; Rev. Hewan Archdall, of Newcastle-on-Tyne; Mr. Freeborough, of Hull; and Rev. C. E. Ranken, of Malvern, for material assistance in the compilation of the Tables, original variations in the openings, and help in the examination of proof. Inasmuch as the book does not lay claim to originality, the acknowledgment of the sources from which the variations have been collected is perhaps unnecessary; but it should be mentioned, that the last Edition of the "Handbuch des Schachspiels,' Mr. Gossip's Theory of the Openings," and Mr. Wayte's able reviews of these works, together with the excellent Chess column of the Field and other papers, the New Chess Monthly, and the wellknown CHESS PLAYER'S CHRONICLE, have been indispensable to the production of the book. The Author has endeavoured to present variations that have occurred in actual play to meet the objection of some who assume that but few of the positions given in theory occur in practice. This has been especially adopted in the Irregular Openings, which are illustrated entirely from published games. It has been necessary to considerably enlarge the present Edition, but a comparison with the Second Edition, which contained but eighty-two pages, will explain the slight increase in the price of the book. The Author has again to express his regret at the delay in the publication of this Edition, which demanded an insertion of a brief Appendix to introduce a few new variations, and would especially call the attention of the student to the Paulsen attack in the Scotch, which has attained such popularity within the last two years. BIRMINGHAM, JANUARY 1882. 5 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. ""Tho' few are born with talents to excel, Yet all may learn the art of doing well." IN presenting to the Public an addition to the already large literature of Chess, the writer hopes that his little volume will supply a need so often felt and expressed by young players :-An Analysis of the Chess Openings, recorded in a simple form. It is now generally admitted that some knowledge of the authorised Openings is absolutely indispensable to those who would attain to any degree of proficiency in the Art of Chess Playing." Members of a Chess club, or those who are in the habit of meeting strong opponents, require no proof, beyond their own experience to convince them of the truth of this assertion. Unfortunately, in many of the excellent treatises where this branch of Chess playing has received special and separate attention, it has not been treated with sufficient clearness of expression and illustration to render much assistance to the young student; the endless games and variations have only tended to perplex and discourage him when seeking the knowledge he so ardently desires. The popular idea of the abstruseness of Chess has not been dispelled by the many "explanatory" books, and the great difficulty hitherto has been to find out, in theoretical treatises, the moves that occur to the student in actual play. To overcome this objection, instead of being presented in the usual dialogue form, the moves are here given on Tables, the White being placed above the line, and the Black below, thus the principal variations of any particular Opening can be seen at a glance, with the advantage or disadvantage of the line of play pursued indicated at foot. The tabulated form employed has never previously been used by any English compiler (for compilation, rather than authorship, is demanded from those who now publish on Chess), but its advantages, when displayed in the famous "Handbuch des Schachspiels" and "Alexandre's Encyclopedia," are so obvious, that there is no reason why the system should not be transferred to the pages of an English publication. Few players understand thoroughly even the synoptical moves of the Openings. Preliminary chapters are devoted expressly to teaching the moves that distinguish the various débuts, and from which they take their classification and nomenclature. The writer expresses his obligations to the "Handbuch des Schachspiels," 1874; "Westminster Papers," "Quarterly Chronicle," Mr. Wormald's "Chess Openings," and other excellent treatises. He has taken it for granted that the reader is acquainted with the preliminary details of the moves of the pieces and rules of the game; the space at his command being limited, his object, has rather been to assist those who, having some knowledge of the game, seek to extend it in their leisure hours. It is in such hours that this book has been compiled, and in striving for the simplicity which has been his aim, the writer trusts that nothing material has been sacrificed, while difficulties have been removed. The writer lays no claim to originality; his object has been to represent, in a simple form, the result of modern analysis in its leading features. The advanced student of theory must not expect to find this work exhaustive, its scope would not permit of such an attempt. The compiler trusts, however, that the learner will find most of the information of which he stands in need, and that the advanced proficient may find it useful to have for ready reference a tabular statement of the various Openings, at a price within the reach of the Chess playing public. In conclusion, his thanks are due to Thomas Bourn, Esq., and J. I. Minchin, Esq., both of Clifton, for their invaluable assistance, so cheerfully rendered, in correcting errors and suggesting improvements for the first tabulated Chess book printed in the English language. CLIFTON, October 1874. |