GIUOCO PIANO.

Although, as indicated by the "Synopsis," the drift of analysis in this opening is in favor of the defense, the debut has been frequently played during the last three years in important contests. At this time 4 P-Q3 is considered the best continuation of the attack, Mr. Steinitz and M. Rosenthal, among other masters, preferring this line.

The "Jerome Gambit," 4 B x Pch, involves an unsound sacrifice; but it is not an attack to be trifled with. The defense requires study, and is somewhat difficult. We give the fullest analysis of this American invention that has yet been in print. The author is Mr. S. A. Charles, Cincinnati, O.

1

Notes to page 176.

The latest (sixth) edition of the "German Handbuch" gives B x B, and an analysis, to show that, by this move, Black obtains the better game.

2 Castling would be better.

3 Not as good as O-O. White made a center attack, and won on the 51st move.

4 He should have exchanged Bishops.

5 Continued, 21 K x Kt 21 Kt x Kt, 22 R-Q1 22 Kt-Kt5, 23 R-Q4, P-QB4, 24 Rx R. This last move of White's is much inferior to R-Q1, when if 24 P-B5, 25 R-Q4 25 P x P, 26 Px P, and, as Black can not capture the P, White remains with a fair game, The game was won by Black on the 34th move.

6 If 14 P x Kt Black rejoins 14 P x P, and White can not retake without losing a piece by 15 P-Q4.

7 Mr. Maurian remarks that 17 B-Q2, preparatory to Castling, would give Black a slight superiority.

8 If 19 R-Kt2, or to Kt1, White would probably gain an advantage by 20 P x P, lowed by Q-Q6

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9 Continued, 21 Q-R5 21 0-0-0, 22 P x P (capturing BP would result in losing QP) 22 P x P, 23 Kt-B3 23 B-K3, 24 R x Rch, 24 Qx R, 25 Kt x P 25 P-B6? and Black lost. He could have drawn by 25 B x B.

10 Mr. Blackburne won on the 44th move.

His success was mainly due to his at

tack on Black's center, which began on White's 9th move.

11 Mr. Rosenthal prefers Kt-KB3, and P-Q4 for White's next move.

12 Inferior to B-QKt3.

13 This move allows the White Kt to take up a strong position at KB5. Black could have obtained a favorable position by 11 P x B, followed by 0-0-0.

14 The Pawns on the Q side can now advance.

15 Worse than useless, as it drives the Q to a better position.

Notes to page 178.

1 This move is not considered as strong as formerly.

2 The Berlin Sonntagsblatt prefers 11 P x P, followed by 12 Q-Kt3.

3 0-0 would be better.

4 White is compelled to sacrifice a piece as a consequence of his 13th move; otherwise he would lose the chance of Castling and have to bear a strong attack.

5 Not so strong as B-KB4.

6 In Mr. Steinitz's opinion, the Q would be better posted at K2.

7 Intending to sacrifice the Kt.

8 White's 20th move is bad, R-KB1, or K2, giving the only chance for a draw. The game continued, 21 P x P 21 K-R1, 22 K-R1 22 R-KKtl, 23 Q-Q2 23 R-KKt3, 24 R-KKt1, and Black announced mate in eight moves.

9 In a communication in the London Chess Monthly, for March 1883, Mr. A. A. Bowley says, this ingenious move results to Black's advantage if he replies to it 10 0-0, as in the text. If Black replies 10 B-B4 he does not fare so well, the play continuing 11 Kt x BP 11 K x Kt, 12 Kt-Kt3.

10 If Kt x RP, Black obtains a superior game by R-K1.

11 The only move. If P-KR3 12 Kt x BP+.

12 Black remains with two minor pieces, for the R as the White Kt can not escape 13 Dr. I. Ryall, Hamilton, Ont., says he has a liking for this move after testing it in many games, though not always successfully. It leads to very interesting positions.

14 Premature.

15 First played by Steinitz against Dubois, Congress of 1862, p. 102. Dubois did not venture 9 Ktx KtP, but defended himself by 9 P-KR4.

16 Steinitz contemplated Q-K2 at this point, but Lowenthal afterward showed, C. P. C. 1868-69, I. 162, that Black can give his opponent the choice of Q or R. 17 If 11 Kt x R 11 Q-K2. 12 B-B7ch [or A] 12 K-Q, 13 Kt-Q2 13 B x Pch, 14 K-R, 14 Kt-KKt5, 15 Kt-KB3 15 Q-KB3, winning. [A] 12 Kt-B7 12 B x Pch, 13 Rx B 13 P x Rch, 14 K x P 14 Kt-KKt5ch, 15 K-Kt3 15 Q-B3, 16 Q-B3 16 Q-Kt2 and wins.

18 Q-K comes to the same thing. If Kt-B7, Black may play Rx P.

19 Black announced mate in seven moves.