1 B-K3 is the usual move.

Notes to page 160.

2 Mr. Sellman says the move usually recommended is Kt-Kt3, but the move in the text seems preferable as it embarrasses White's development after 10 Q x P.

3 Clearing the position at K1 for his Rooks.

4 Leaving the beaten track.

5 Black took the attack at this point, and won after a hard contest of ninety moves.

6 Mr. C. A. Maurian says this counter gambit yields the second player a very inferior game in the opinion of most authorities, but against an opponent not well versed in the books, it is apt to produce a strong counter attack.

7 4 P-Q4 or Q-K2 are also good.

8 4 Kt-Q5 is preferable.

THE FRENCH DEFENSE.

This conservative, but not necessarily slow, method of replying to the attack's 1 P-K4, is very much in vogue in formal and off-hand play.. It was played forty-nine times at the London Congress of 1883. Blackburne, Mason, Noa, Sellman, and Winawer defended with the French 43 times in

the total of 49 games. Tschigorin chose it twice, Skipworth three times, and Mackenzie once. The remaining six of the fourteen contestants, Bird, Englisch, Mortimer, Rosenthal, Steinitz, and Zukertort, did not play it at all. In the 49 games the attack proceeded 2 P-Q4 46 times; 2 P-K5 twice (Steinitz); and 2 P-KB4 once (Englisch).

The old line of play, laid down in Staunton's "Handbook," viz.: 1 P-K4 1 P-K3, 2 P-Q4 2 P-Q4, 3 P x P 3 P x P, was adopted at the Congress but 11 times. A more recent form, not spoken of in the Handbook," viz. : 1 P-K4 1 P-K3, 2 P-Q4 2 P-Q4, 3 Kt-QB3, was adopted by the attack 33 times. The defense replied 3 Kt-KB3 31 times, and B QK15 twice. This more modern attack, 3 Kt-QB3, was invariably chosen by Bird, Blackburne, Mackenzie, Mortimer, Noa, Tschigorin, and Winawer. Mr. Sellman always adhered to the older 3 P x P, the remaining contestants varying the move. Kt-QB3

After 3

KI-KB3

White adopted 4 B-KKt5 18 times, and 4 P x P 9

times; a majority of 2 to 1 in favor of the former. Blackburne and Mortimer adopted both forms. Invariably Steinitz, Mackenzie, Winawer, Mason, Bird, and Englisch attacked with 4 B-KKt5, and Noa, Tschigorin, and Rosenthal with 4 P x P.

Mr. Thomas Long remarks of the frequent employment of the French Defense in the London Congress that: "We might, at first sight, naturally conclude from these figures that one considerable section of these fine* players hold the theory that, in the battle for position in the 'openings' of Chess, Black can not hope to equalize the game in as short a period (if at all) by adopting the open game of 1 P-K4 as when he moves 1 P-K3, but we must consider that it by no means follows that, because the second player adopts the 'French,' the 'Sicilian,' or 'Irregular game, that he is of opinion that the attack in theory must obtain the better position in the open game. He may be desirous of avoiding some particular opening with some especial antagonist.

"Likewise with the first player: it does not necessarily follow that, because he sometimes opens with some irregular or bizarre move as 1 Kt-KB3 or 1 Kt-QB3, as in the Congress games, that he holds that the defense must obtain the better position in the open regular of 1 P-K4. He too, doubtless, has his object at the time he thus commences his game-for we find the same players moving P-K4 or otherwise on the first move.

"The fact is, theory holds-however practice may vary-that the second player can equalize the game in every opening commencing with 1 P-K4 on

both sides-in some openings a little earlier than in others—and also that the first player need have no fear (where, as in the Gambits, he does not make sacrifice of material) of even the best defenses in any of the open games."

In the autumn of 1883 "Land and Water" published the following appreciative estimate of this opening: "It is now nearly forty years since Staunton commended the French Defense inasmuch as it 'by nullifying the advantage of the first move, gives a higher tone and character to the game than it possesses while chance is an admitted element of the struggle.' The accuracy of this opinion has been, to a large extent, verified by the opening's subsequent career; for though the adoption of 1 P-K3 by Black does not entirely deprive White of the profit derived from playing first, yet at any rate it goes nearer than any other defense to placing the players on an equality at starting. Nevertheless, though this has at no time been doubted, the French Defense was, until a comparatively recent period, treated with much scorn. It was considered a mean and cowardly method of opening. Now all is changed, and its adoption by experts of the first rank is frequent in important games. Mr. Blackburne, as is well known, scarcely ever plays otherwise. It was a favorite with the late Mr. De Vere, and also with Mr. W. N. Potter in his day of active play, and it is likewise much used by Mr. Mason, so that altogether it might much more appropriately be called the Anglo-Saxon Defense than the name which its adoption by Labourdonnais against McDonnell caused it to receive. It scarcely needs mentioning that Labourdonnais was not the first by a good many to move 1 P-K3 as second player. How old the opening is no one knows; but as Lucena alludes thereto it is very clear that Chess players four centuries ago opened their games in this fashion. The special features of the French Defense (in its normal grooves) are very easily stated. The Bishops on both sides become immediately liberated and capable of a free action. No clogging, no blocking up. The King's Knight comes quietly out, and Castling may quickly take place. As neither side can hinder that operation, so, and for that very reason, a speedy resource to Castling by each player becomes advisable, lest the adversary's King's Rook, which so early takes part in the fray, should prove mischievous. The Queen's Knights are also fit for fighting, and the Queen's Rooks are in nowise prevented from responding to any call for their services. The rapid development of pieces on both sides is therefore a special feature of the French Defense. As a consequence thereof it must be admitted that there is in the opening a want of that richness which attends a slow, complex development, and also a deficiency of sparkling positions. Another notable feature is the marked augmentation of the power of the Bishops with its corollary in a sensible diminution of scope on the part of the Knights, so that the latter are sometimes only useful as corks for the stopping up of diagonals. A third very remarkable peculiarity of this opening is the active part played by the Rooks therein, while as a windingup characteristic it is worth noticing that the Queen often has to play the undignified part of staying behind Bishops and backing them up. All these points represent one and the same meaning. There is a free board, and this is the ear-mark of the French Defense."