Hoyle's Games Modernized Part 57

With two Knights alone no mate can be forced, except through incorrect play on the part of the defence. Consequently the remaining with two {424} Knights should be avoided. If the player has the option to change off pieces, he should keep Bishop and Knight rather than two Knights.

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. {425}

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 MEc.u.m. 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 p.a.w.n 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. {426}

THE CHESS-PLAYER'S COMPANION. By Howard Staunton. Bell & Sons. 5s.

MORPHY'S GAMES OF CHESS. By J. Lowenthal. 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 c.o.x. 2s. 6d.

THE ART OF CHESS. By James Mason. Horace c.o.x. 5s. nett.

CHESS OPENINGS. By James Mason. Horace c.o.x. 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 Ches.h.i.+re.

Chatto & Windus. 7s. 6d. net.

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DRAUGHTS.

"In friendly contention, the old men Laughed at each lucky hit or unsuccessful manoeuvre-- Laughed when a man was crowned, or a breach was made in the king-row."

LONGFELLOW--_Evangeline._

The game of Draughts is played on a board of sixty-four squares of alternate colours, and with twenty-four pieces, called men (twelve on each side), also of opposite colours. It is played by two persons; the one having the twelve black or red pieces is technically said to be playing the _first side_, and the other, having the twelve white, to be playing the _second side_. Each player endeavours to confine the pieces of the other in situations where they cannot be played, or both to capture and fix, so that _none can be played_; the person whose side is brought to this state loses the game.

The essential rules of the game are as under--

The board shall be so placed that the bottom corner square on the left hand shall be black.

The men shall be placed on the black squares.[107]

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