500 Mr. G. Walker 07i the K7iighfs Move at Chess, 
rolls different plans of action which have come under my ob- 
servation relatively to the subject. I take it from the most 
voluminous work extant upon the subject, being the Ger- 
man treatise of Warnsdorf. 
Place the knight to commence on any square of the board 
you please, marking such square with a wafer or counter to 
show it has been used, and marking in a similar manner each 
square on to which the knight leaps in succession. The 
knight being at his post as agreed on, let his first move be to 
that square from which, in play, he would command the 
fewest points, observing that if on two or more squares his 
power would be equal, he may go indifferently to either of those 
squares ; and that, as matter of course, a square once covered 
is not to be reckoned amongst those he commands, but must 
be dismissed altogether as done with. Continue moving him 
on this principle, and he will traverse the sixty- four squares 
in as many moves ; reckoning the setting him down originally 
on the square chosen for the starting-point as the first move. 
To exemplify this, suppose the knight to start upon the 
king’s bishop’s second square. In this case his first move 
must be of necessity to the corner ; since upon the rook’s 
square he would then command but one point, viz. the 
knight’s third ; the king’s bishop’s second, on which he start- 
ed, not to be again counted, but as a cajpiitmoi'tuum. Further 
explanation of matter so simple cannot be necessary. 
Permit me. Gentlemen, to express my gratification at 
seeing chess at length take its legitimate place among the 
higher branches of science, and its mysteries allowed to de- 
velop themselves upon your pages. The king of games is, 
indeed, now fully appreciated as the only rational mental re- 
creation, — the strongest auxiliary in the way of sedentary sport 
towards weaning the young from frivolous and exceptionable 
amusements, and furnishing their minds with healthy exercise. 
It has been recently enacted that chess may be played in the 
Royal Institution (Albemarle-street); and I cannot but hope 
the example will be followed, until chess-boards and chess-men 
will be found placed in the halls of meeting of every learned 
and scientific association throughout the kingdom. 
I have the honour to be. 
Gentlemen, your obedient servant, 
1, Devonshire Place, Haverstock Hill, George Walker. 
April 1840. 
List of Wo7'ks aTid Writers above referred to, 
R. Willis. Attempt to analyse the Automaton Chess-player. 
Lond. 1821. 8 VO, pp. 40. 
