CHESS: Introduction — Open Games (1) — Open Games (2) — Close Games — The End Game — Observations and Bibliography
General Observations.
A good system for the student is to practise one Opening only, attack and defence alternately, till it is thoroughly well mastered, and so on with every other Opening. The student should not get into the habit of playing with one colour only, or he will find himself at a disadvantage when he cannot have his favourite colour. He must not make a move without carefully weighing the possible replies. If he finds a good move, let him still try to find a better one. When his opponent makes a move, he must try to discover the object of such move, whether it is immediately menacing, or only indirectly so. In the first case, a suitable defence must be found; in the latter case, he may profit by the respite to bring a piece into play.
The first principle is to develop the pieces quickly, and never to commence an attack with insufficient forces. If a player is able to bring more pieces into play than his opponent, it is obvious that he must be stronger. The Opening correctly played is frequently half the battle won.
Avoid useless checks. Avoid useless exchanges. Bear in mind that it is disadvantageous to be left with two Knights only, as mate cannot be given with them. If the player has the better game, he should avoid remaining with a Bishop of different colour from a like piece of his opponent, as Bishops of different colour frequently lead to a draw.
The student should further accustom himself to an elegant style of play—viz., strictly to adhere to the laws of the game; never to take back a move; never to touch a man until he has determined where to move it; and to move his pieces quietly.
Bibliography of Chess.
The literature of chess is very extensive, but many of the best works would be practically useless to a beginner, as too advanced for his capabilities. Any of the works mentioned next below may be studied with advantage by the learner.
- Chess[106] (Oval Series). By L. Hoffer. Routledge, 1s.
- Common Sense in Chess. By E. Lasker. Bellairs & Co. 2s. 6d. nett.
- Chess. By R. F. Green. Bell & Sons. 1s.
- The Chess-Player's Mentor. By F. J. Lee and G. H. D. Gossip. Ward & Downey. 1s.
- The Chess-Player's Vade Mecum. By G. H. D. Gossip. Ward & Downey. 1s.
- The Chess Openings. By I. Gunsberg. Bell & Sons, 1s.
- The Chess-Player's Pocket Book. By James Mortimer. Sampson Low & Co. 1s.
- Six Practical Chess Openings. Anon. British Chess Company. 6d.
- Six Chess Lessons for Junior Players. By S. Tinsley. British Chess Company. 6d.
- Fifty Pawn Puzzles. Anon. British Chess Company. 4d.
To more advanced players may be recommended, in addition—
- The Chess-Player's Handbook. By Howard Staunton. Bell & Sons. 5s.
- The Chess-Player's Companion. By Howard Staunton. Bell & Sons. 5s.
- Morphy's Games of Chess. By J. Löwenthal. Bell and Sons. 5s.
- Chess Openings, Ancient and Modern. By E. Freeborough and C. E. Ranken. Kegan Paul & Co. 8s.
- Chess Endings. By E. Freeborough. Kegan Paul & Co. 7s. 6d.
- Select Chess End-Games. By E. Freeborough. Kegan Paul & Co. 1s. 6d. nett.
- Chess Studies and End Games. By J. Kling and B. Horwitz. Bell & Sons. 7s. 6d.
- Synopsis of the Chess Openings. By William Cook. Simpkin, Marshall & Co. 4s.
- The Chess-Player's Manual. By G. H. D. Gossip. Routledge. 7s. 6d.
- The Principles of Chess. By James Mason. Horace Cox. 2s. 6d.
- The Art of Chess. By James Mason. Horace Cox. 5s. nett.
- Chess Openings. By James Mason. Horace Cox. 2s. net.
- Chess Masterpieces. By H. E. Bird. Dean & Sons. 3s.
- Chess Practice. By H. E. Bird. Sampson Low & Co. 2s. 6d.
- Chess Novelties. By H. E. Bird. Warne & Co. 3s. 6d.
- Modern Chess Brilliancies. By G. H. D. Gossip. Ward & Downey. 1s.
- The Hastings Chess Tournament Book (1895). Edited by Horace Cheshire. Chatto & Windus. 7s. 6d. net.
- 106 ↑ The work of which the present article is an abridgment. The Openings here given will be found treated in this book at much greater length, with others scarcely less valuable, and a fund of general Chess information.