March 20, 1SS5.] 



♦ KNOWLEDGE ♦ 



249 



^m- £l)f5$ Column. 



Bs Mkpuisto. 



PROBLKM No. 151. 

 Hv J. S, McKkax. 

 Blice. 



Whits. 

 VThite to play and mate in three moves. 



THE CENTRE GAMBIT AXD GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF 

 DEVELOPMENT. 



P toK-t 



2. 



PtoQ4 



3.^"-^ 



QKt to Mi 



Q to K3. 



Pto K* PxP 



This variation of the centre gambit leads to a steady game. 

 White has already made two moves with his Qncen, bringing her 

 into play rather early, but this loss of time is equalised by Black's 

 inability to play his KB to B-i. It would not be safe for Black to 

 play 4.'B to Kto (ch) followed on P covering by 5. B to R4. (We 

 have often stated before that in games where the KB is prevented 

 from playing to B-t he is best posted on K2, as otherwise the K's 

 side becomes weak.) White, after 5. B to Rl, would play 

 6. Q to Kt3, compelling Black to play either 6. Q to B3 or 

 P to KKt3 or K to B sq., all of which would result in weakening 

 Black's position. IJismissing, therefore, 4 B to Kto (ch) for Black, 

 there remains 4. P to QKt3, with a view to playing B to B4, also 

 4. P to KKtS. Bnt there are objections to be urged against both 

 these moves. 4. P to QKt3 is only a preparatory move against 

 which White developcs a piece, presumably the QKt, with the 

 possibility of playing Q to KKtS in conjunction with Kt to Q5. 

 Furthermore, the P on Kt3 blocks the Black B, which later in the 

 game might prove inconvenient for Black ; moreover, 1. P to QKt3 

 in a measure restricts Black from playing his Q's P, on account of 

 the QKt being exposed to the pinning action of the White KB 

 either on QKt5 or Q5. Any of these as yet merely prospective 

 disadvantages may, in course of play, assume definite shape. For 

 that reason the move is opposed to the modern theory of develop- 

 ment, according to which every piece brought into play constitutes 

 a gain of time. 



In reply to 4. P to KKt3 

 White would play 5. B to Q2, 

 B to Kt2. 6. B to B3. and we 

 ciw not see any particularly bright 

 jiirspects for Black's game. 



Tliese constrained defences lead 

 to no definite result and produce 

 dull games, wherein Black has 

 to fight hard, having the disad- 

 vantage of a cramped position. 



Far better than any of these 

 moves is the reply analysed by 

 Berger, 4. KKt to B3. Of course, 

 as before stated, the only excuse 

 for deploying the White Queen 

 so early in the opening, is that 

 Black's development is thereby 

 prevented. But, if in spite of 

 anything. Black can avoid such damaging moves as P to QKt3 or 

 KKt3, and succeeds in bringing out his pieces, then the moves of 

 the Queen will virtually be transformed into loss of time for White ; 

 moreover, the Queen wiU be liable to the further attack of the 

 minor pieces. 



4. Kt to B3 was not considered good, on account of White's 



Blace. 



WaiiB. 



reply of 5. P to K5, Kt to Kt5. G. Q to K4 or K2, placing tho 

 Black KKt somewhat in an awkward position, not being able to 

 take tho White KP on account of I' 'o KBl winning a piece. 

 According to Berger, however, this ot)jection docs not hold good, 

 as the following analysis will show, which likowi.se will servo as a 

 good example of the value of proper modern development, e.q. : 



4. Kt to B3 



5. P to K5 



After having disposed of this move (tho only objection to Ktlo B3), 

 we shall deal with other moves at White's disposal. 



5. KKl to Kt5 



If KttoQ3, G. Q to Kl, then eitlii 

 favourable to White's development. 



G. Q to K4 or (n) 

 1' X V (ch) 



Kt to K2 or Kt to Kt3 i 



S. 



0. 



10. 



I'x l> 

 KxQ_ 

 K to K sq. 



P to Q l ! 

 1! to K3 

 Q to QH (ch) 

 Kt X P (ch) 

 KtxQ 



Whith. 



G. Q to K2 

 To tliis Black reolies witli 

 G. 



7. PxP (ch) or (6) 



8. I'x P 



Now it will be seen Black has 

 (piito frustrated White's attack- 

 ing designs, lie lias almost all his 

 pieces in good play, is enabled to 

 castle, and may capture at his 

 leisure tho P on Qli7, remaining 

 with a better position for tho 

 end game. Black now threatens 

 KB to B4 or B to Q3. If, to 

 prevent either. White plays 

 11. B to Q3, (hen Kt to B4, 

 threatening to isolate the QP 

 by capturing the B, will gain 

 further time for Black. 



(n) On lii.s Gth move, instead 

 of Q to Kl, White might have 

 played dilYerent, e <j., 



Black. 





PT^ |j^^ f 







W niTB. 



P to Q3 

 B to K3 

 QxP 



As will bo seen from the 

 annexed position, although being 

 a P behind. Black has a very fine 

 game, his immediate intention 

 being either Kt to Q5 or KB to 

 B4 or Castles QK, when his 

 attack will become very strong. 



(h) White, however, on the 

 7th move may refuse to take the 

 proffered Pawn. Instead of 

 7. PxP (ch) White might plav 



7. P to KR3 

 Of course if 7. KKt to B3 or 

 7. B to B 4, then KKt x P follows. 



KKtxP 



8. P to KBt Kt to Q5 



9. Q to K4 Q to R5 (cli) 

 10. K to Q sq. Q toB7! 



with much the better game. 

 (To he continued.) 



SOLUTION OF END GAME, 

 K on KR sq., Q on QR3. 



20G. 

 Black : K on KB8, 



Position. — White 

 P on K7. 



1. Q toB8(ch), K to K8. 2. Q toQG, K to B7. 3. Q to B4 (ch) 

 K to K8. 4, Q to Ql, K to B8. 5. Q to Kt sq. (ch) mate. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 

 »*, Please address Chess Editor. 



Q. T. V. — On advancing a Pawn to the eighth sijuare, a player 

 may choose any piece he likes. Thus, he may have a third Knight, 

 Bishop, or Rook. We only objected to the nonsensical rule of being 

 allowed to change the advanced Pawn to a piece of the opposite 

 colour. 



Edw. Caeter. — Problem and game received, with thanks. 



BiLB.io, Edw. Caetee. — Why do you suppose that in the End 

 Game, p. 20G, on White playing 1. Q to Kt3, Black is compelled to 

 Queen the Pawn ? Would not a Knight do as well I' 



SqriEE. — In Problem 150, if K x B, the R checks, and there is no 

 mate. 



Correct Solutions received : — End Game : H. A. N. Problem 150 : 

 II. A. N., Uncle John, W., Raven.shoe, Emma Coope. . ■• 



