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The blue book of chess

Chapter 14: GAMES
By Howard Staunton
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About This Book

This manual teaches the fundamentals and practical play of chess for beginners and intermediate learners. It begins with board setup, piece movements, notation, rules and technical terms, then systematically analyzes recognized openings — including the king's knight and bishop lines, various gambits, the queen's pawn and several irregular systems — presenting principal variations and recommended continuations. Dozens of illustrative, annotated games by noted masters demonstrate typical plans, tactical motifs and departure points from theory, while later chapters cover endgame technique and present problems for practice. The emphasis is on simplifying openings for the learner and providing clear examples of sound attacking and defensive play.


Game II.—Skilfully conducted Partie played in 1837, by M. Petroff,
against three Russian Amateurs in council together.

 WHITE.  (M. Petroff.)  BLACK.  (Amateurs.)
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to K. B's 3d. 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.
 3. P. to Q's 4th. 3. Kt. takes K. P.
 4. K. B. to Q's 3d. 4. P. to Q's 4th.
 5. Kt. takes K. P. 5. K. B. to Q's 3d.
 6. Castles. 6. Castles.
 7. P. to Q. B's 4th. 7. P. to K. B's 4th.
 8. P. to K. B's 4th. 8. P. to Q. B's 3d.
 9. Q. B. to K's 3d. 9. Q. B. to K's 3d.
10. P. takes Q. P.10. P. takes P.
11. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.11. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.
12. Q. R. to Q. B's sq.12. K. R. to B's 3d.[A]
13. B. takes Kt.13. K. B. P. takes B.
14. Q. Kt. to his 5th.14. Kt. to K's 2d.
15. Kt. takes B.15. Q. takes Kt
16. P. to K. Kt's 4th.16. P. to K. Kt's 3d.[B]
17. P. to K. B's 5th.[C]17. P. takes P.
18. B. to K. Kt's 5th.18. K. R. to B's sq.
19. B. to K. R's 6th.19. K. R. to Q. B's sq.[D]
20. Q. to her 2d.20. Q. to her square.
21. R. takes R.21. R. takes R.
22. P. takes P.22. Kt. takes P.
23. Q. to K. Kt's 2d. (ch.)23. K. to R's sq.
24. R. takes Kt.24. Q. to K. Kt's sq.
25. R. to B's 6th.25. B. to K. R's 6th.
26. Q. to K. Kt's 3d.26. Q. takes Q.
27. P. takes Q.
On this move, the Amateurs abandoned the game.

[A] This unfortunate counter attack is admirably taken advantage of by M. Petroff.

[B] They do not appear to have had a better move.

[C] Well played.

[D] It would have been better to leave the Rook en prise, and advance the Pawn to King's Bishop's 5th.


Game III.—Between M. Tchigorin and H. N. Pillsbury.

 WHITE.  (Mr. T.)  BLACK.  (Mr. P.)
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.
 3. Kt. to B's 3d. 3. Kt. to B's 3d.
 4. B. to Kt's 5th. 4. B. to Kt's 5th.
 5. Castles. 5. Castles.
 6. P. to Q's 3d. 6. P. to Q's 3d.
 7. B. to Kt's 5th.[A] 7. B. takes Kt.
 8. P. takes B. 8. Kt. to K's 2d.[B]
 9. B. takes Kt. 9. P. takes B.
10. Q. to Q's 2d.10. Kt. to Kt's 3d.
11. K. to R's sq.[C]11. K. to R's sq.
12. P. to Q's 4th.12. R. to K. Kt's sq.
13. B. to Q's 3d.13. Q. to K's 2d.
14. Q. R. to Kt's sq.[D]14. P. to Kt's 3d.
15. Kt. to Kt's sq.15. B. to K's 3d.!
16. P. to Q's 5th.?16. B. to Q's 2d.
17. P. to Kt's 3d.17. R. to Kt's 2d.
18. Q. R. to K's sq.18. Q. R. to K. Kt's sq.[E]
19. P. to B's 3d.[F]19. P. to K. R's 4th.!
20. R. to K's 2d.20. Kt. to B's sq.
21. P. to K. B's 4th.21. P. takes P.
22. Q. takes P.22. Kt. to R's 2d.
23. Kt. to B's 3d.23. B. to Kt's 5th.
24. Kt. to Q's 4th.[G]24. P. to R's 5th.!
25. R. to K's 3d.25. Q. to K's 4th.
26. P. takes P.?26. B. to B's 6th. (ch.)
27. Resigns.

[A] Notes by Jas. Mason.—In this familiar "double Lopez" predicament, 7. B. takes Kt. is highly recommended, if a dull but durable kind of game is desired.

[B] ... Something like a leap in the dark. If the doubled Pawn can be "dissolved" betimes, or the open file well used in attack, a safe landing may be confidently expected.

[C] More or less necessary, sooner or later. Black does not attempt to dissolve, just here; for then Q. to R's 6th, threatening Kt. to Kt's 5th, might be uncomfortable.

[D] Routine—indirectly including the questionable 16. P. to Q's 5th ? At once Kt. to Kt's sq., to be speedily followed by P. to Kt's 3d and P. to K. B's 4th, would have given the matter another and perhaps very different complexion.

[E] ... The difference is in favor of the young American representative, who presses it fully.

[F] Manifestly weakening. The Russian champion feels himself on the defensive, and at a loss how to continue. Thus the text move may be as good as any other.

[G] 24. Kt. to R's 4th would be much stronger, the importance of halting the advancing Rook Pawn duly considered. Going from bad to worse, the downright blunder two moves later caps the climax—and more need not be said.


GAME THE SIXTH.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. P. to K's 4th.1. P. to K's 4th.
2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.2. K. B. to Q. B's 4th.
3. Kt. takes K. P.3. Q. to K's 2d.
4. P. to Q's 4th.4. B. to Q. Kt's 3d.
5. K. B. to Q. B's 4th.5. K. Kt. to B's 3d.
6. B takes B. P. (ch.)6. K. to B's sq.
7. B. to Q. Kt's 3d.7. Kt. takes K's P
8. Castles,
And you have an excellent position.


GAME THE SEVENTH.
Counter Gambit in the Knight's Opening.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to K. B's 4th.
This second move of Black gives the name
of Counter Gambit to this game.
 3. K. Kt. takes P. (best.) 3. Q. to K. B's 3d. (best.)
 4. P. to Q's 4th. 4. P. to Q's 3d.
 5. Kt. to Q. B's 4th. 5. P. takes K's P.
 6. Q. Kt. to B's 3d. 6. P. to Q. B's 3d.
or First Variation.
 7. Q. Kt. takes K's P. (best.) 7. Q. to K's 3d.
 8. Q. to K's 2d. 8. P. to Q's 4th.
 9. Q's Kt. to Q's 6th. (ch.) 9. K. to Q's 2d.
10. Q. Kt. to K. B's 7th.10. Q. P. takes K's Kt.
11. Q. takes Q. (ch.)11. K. takes Q.
12. K. B. takes P. (ch.)12. K. to his 2d.
13. Kt. takes R.13. Q. B. to K's 3d.
14. K. B. to Q's 3d.14. K. Kt. to B's 3d.
15. Q. B. to K. Kt's 5th.15. Q. B. to K. Kt's sq.
16. Castles, with a fine game.


First Variation,
Beginning at Black's 6th move.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to K. B's 4th.
 3. K. Kt. takes P. (best) 3. Q. to K. B's 3d. (best)
 4. P. to Q's 4th. 4. P. to Q's 3d.
 5. Kt. to Q. B's 4th. 5. P. takes K. P.
 6. Q. Kt. to B's 3d. 6. Q. B. to K. B's 4th.
 7. P. to K. Kt's 4th. 7. Q. B. to K. Kt's 3d.
 8. K. B. to Kt's 2d. 8. P. to Q. B's 3d.
 9. B. takes K's P. 9. B. takes B.
10. Q. Kt. takes B.10. Q. to K's 3d.
11. Q. to K's 2d.11. P. to Q's 4th.
12. K. Kt. to Q's 6th. (ch.)

If now Black take the Knight with his Bishop, you retake with the Q. Kt. (ch.), then exchange Queens, and win the Q. Kt. P. He may, however, move 12. K. to his 2d, whereupon you check with K. Kt. at K. B's 5th, and afterwards liberate your other Kt.

Second Variation,
Beginning at Black's 6th move.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. P. to K's 4th.1. P. to K's 4th.
2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.2. P. to K. B's 4th.
3. K. Kt. takes P. (best)3. Q. to K. B's 3d. (best)
4. P. to Q's 4th.4. P. to Q's 3d.
5. Kt. to Q. B's 4th.5. P. takes K. P.
6. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.6. K. Kt. to K's 2d.
7. P. to Q's 5th.7. Q. to K. Kt's 3d.
8. Q. to her 4th.8. Q. B. to K. B's 4th
9. Q. Kt. to his 5th, gaining a Pawn.


Third Variation,
From Black's 6th move.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to K. B's 4th.
 3. K. Kt. takes P. (best) 3. Q. to K. B's 3d. (best)
 4. P. to Q's 4th. 4. P. to Q's 3d.
 5. Kt. to Q. B's 4th. 5. P. takes K's P.
 6. Q. Kt. to B's 3d. 6. Q. to K. Kt's 3d.
 7. P. to K. B's 3d. (best) 7. K. Kt. to B's 3d.
 8. P. takes K's P. 8. Kt. takes P.
 9. Q. to K's 2d. 9. Q. B. to K. B's 4th.
10. K. Kt. to Q's 2d.10. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.
11. K. Kt. takes Kt.11. Kt. takes Q. P.
12. Q. to her 3d, having won a Piece.


Fourth Variation of this Game,
Beginning at Black's 4th move.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to K. B's 4th.
 3. Kt. takes K. P. 3. Q. to K. B's 3d.
 4. P. to Q's 4th. 4. P. takes K. P.
 5. K. B. to Q. B's 4th. 5. P. to Q. B's 3d.
 6. B. to B's 7th. (ch.) 6. K. to his 2d.
 7. P. to K. R's 4th. 7. P. to K. R's 3d.
 8. Q. to K. R's 5th. 8. K. to Q's 3d.
 9. Q. B. to K. Kt's 5th. 9. P. takes B.
10. Q. takes R., and you have an easy game.


Another Variation,
Beginning at the 3d move of White.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to K. B's 4th.
 3. K. B. to Q. B's 4th. 3. P. takes K's P.
 4. Kt. takes P. 4. Q. to K. Kt's 4th.
 5. Kt. to K. B's 7th. (best) 5. Q. takes K. Kt. P.
 6. R. to K. B's sq. 6. P. to Q's 4th.
 7. Kt. takes R. 7. P. takes B.
 8. Q. to K. R's 5th. (ch.) 8. P. to K. Kt's 3d.
 9. Q. takes K. R. P. 9. Q. B. to K's 3d.
10. Q. takes K. Kt. P. (ch.)10. Q. takes Q.
11. Kt. takes Q.,
and you have "the exchange" and a Pawn advantage.


Variation of this Game,
Beginning at White's 3d move.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to K. B's 4th.
 3. P. takes P. 3. P. to Q's 3d.
 4. P. to Q's 4th. 4. P. to K's 5th.
 5. Kt. to his 5th. 5. Q. B. takes P.
 6. Q. to K's 2d. 6. P. to Q's 4th.
 7. Q. to her Kt's 5th. (ch.) 7. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.
 8. Q. takes Q. Kt. P. 8. Q. Kt. takes Q. P.
 9. B. to Q. Kt's 5th. (ch.) 9. Kt. takes B.
10. Q. takes Kt. (ch.)10. Q. to her 2d.
11. Q. to Q. Kt's 7th.11. Q. R. to B's sq.
12. Q. takes Q. R. P.12. P. to K. R's 3d.
13. Kt. to K. R's 3d.13. B. takes Kt.
14. K. Kt. P. takes B.14. Q. takes P.
And he has the superiority in position.


GAME THE EIGHTH.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to Q's 4th.
 3. P. takes P. (best) 3. Q. takes P.
 4. Q. Kt. to B's 3d. 4. Q. to K's 3d.
 5. B. to Q. Kt's 5th. (ch.) 5. B. to Q's 2d.
 6. Castles. 6. B. takes B.
 7. Kt. takes B. 7. K. B. to Q's 3d.
 8. R. to K's sq. 8. P. to K. B's 3d.
 9. P. to Q's 4th. 9. P. to Q. B's 3d.
10. Q. P. takes P.10. P. takes P.
11. K. Kt. takes P.
Winning of course.


Variation.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. P. to K's 4th.1. P. to K's 4th.
2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.2. P. to Q's 4th.
3. Kt. takes K's P.3. Q. to K's 2d. (best).
4. P. to Q's 4th.4. P. to K. B's 3d.
5. Kt. to his 4th.5. B. takes Kt.
6. Q. takes B.6. Q. takes P. (ch.)
7. Q. takes Q. (ch.)7. P. takes Q.
There is no advantage on either side.

GAMES

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE PRECEDING VARIATIONS.

Game I.—Between Messrs. Cochrane and Staunton.

 WHITE.  (Mr. C.)  BLACK.  (Mr. S.)
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to Q's 4th.
 3. Kt. takes K. P. 3. Q. to K's 2d.
 4. P. to Q's 4th. 4. P. to K. B's 3d.
 5. Q. Kt. to B's 3d. 5. P. takes K. Kt.
 6. Kt. takes Q. P. 6. Q. to K. B's 2d.
 7. K. B. to Q. B's 4th. 7. Q. B. to K's 3d.
 8. Castles. 8. P. to Q. B's 3d.
 9. P. to K. B's 4th. 9. P. takes Kt.
10. B. P. takes P.10. Q. to her 2d.
11. K. P. takes P.11. B. takes P.
12. P. to K's 6th.12. Q. to her B's 3d.
13. Q. to K. R's 5th. (ch.)13. P. to K. Kt's 3d.
14. Q. takes B.14. K. Kt. to K's 2d.
15. Q. to K's 5th.15. Q. takes B.
16. Q. takes R.16. Kt. to K. B's 4th.
17. Q. B. to K. R's 6th.17. Q. to her Kt's 5th.
18. Q. takes B. (ch.)18. Q. takes Q.
19. B. takes Q.19. K. takes B.
20. P. to K. Kt's 4th.
Black surrenders.


Game II.—Between MM. Jaenisch and Petroff.

 WHITE.  (Mr. J.)  BLACK.  (M. P.)
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. P. to Q's 4th.
 3. K. Kt. takes P. 3. Q. to K's 2d.
 4. P. to Q's 4th. 4. P. to K. B's 3d.
 5. Kt. to B's 3d. 5. P. takes P.
 6. K. Kt. to Q's 2d. 6. P. to K. B's 4th.
 7. K. B. to K's 2d. 7. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.
 8. K. Kt. to Q. Kt's 3d. 8. K. Kt. to B's 3d.
 9. Castles. 9. Q. to K. B's 2d.
10. P. to Q. B's 4th.10. Q. B. to Q's 2d.
11. Q. B. to K. B's 4th.11. Castles.
12. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.12. P. to K. R's 3d.
13. P. to Q. R's 3d.13. P. to K. Kt's 4th.
14. Q. B. to Q's 2d.14. P. to K. B's 5th.
15. P. to Q's 5th.15. Q. Kt. to K's 4th.
16. K. Kt. to Q's 4th.16. K. B. to Q. B's 4th.
17. Q. B. to K's square.17. K. R. to Kt's sq.
18. P. to Q. Kt's 4th.18. K. B. to K's 2d.
19. P. to K. B's 3d.19. P. to K's 6th.
20. Q. to her Kt's 3d.20. P. to K. Kt's 5th.
21. P. to Q. B's 5th.21. P. takes K. B. P.
22. Kt. takes P.22. Kt. takes Kt. (ch.)
23. B. takes Kt.23. Kt. to K. Kt's 5th.
24. Q. to her B's 4th.24. K. to Kt's sq.
25. Q. to K's 4th.25. Q. R. to K's sq.
26. P. to Q's 6th.26. Q. B. to his 3d.
27. Q. to her 4th.27. B. takes B.
28. R. takes B.28. B. to K. Kt's 4th.
29. Q. Kt. to his 5th.29. P. to Q. B's 3d.
30. P. to Q's 7th.30. Q. R. to K's 3d.
31. B. to K. Kt's 3d.31. P. takes Q. Kt.[A]
32. B. takes B. P. (ch.)32. Kt. to K's 4th.
33. B. takes Kt. (ch.)33. R. takes B.
34. Q. takes R. (ch.)34. K. to R's sq.
35. R. takes Q.35. P. to K's 7th.
36. Q. to K's 8th. (ch.)36. R. takes Q.
37. P. takes R., becomes a Queen (ch.), and wins.

[A] If Black had taken the B. with K. B. P. at this point, the following moves show that he would have equally lost:—

31. P. takes B.
32. Q. takes Kt.32. P. takes P. (ch.)
33. K. to R's sq.33. Q. takes Q. P.
34. Q. to K. Kt's 3d. (ch.), and wins.


GAME THE NINTH.
The Giuoco Piano.

An attentive examination of the eight separate methods of reply to your second move of K's Kt. to B's 3d in the antecedent games, will have enabled you to understand that four at least of these defences, viz.: P. to K. B's 3d, B. to Q's 3d, Q. to B's 3d, and B. to Q. B's 4th, are untenable and injurious for the game of the second player, and that the remaining four, if not absolutely bad for him, are unsatisfactory, because against the best attack, they leave the balance of advantage in favor of the party playing first.

It is now time to consider the consequences to both parties when Black, abandoning the objectionable or uncertain modes of play he has hitherto adopted, shall answer with the move which the best authorities at length concur in recommending as the proper one, i.e. 2. Q's Kt. to B's 3d. Upon his playing thus, you have the choice of three good moves: in the first place to play 3. K's B. to Q. B's 4th, as in the present game; secondly, 3. P. to Q's 4th; and thirdly, P. to Q. B's 3d. The two latter of which will form the subjects of games hereafter.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
1. P. to K's 4th.1. P. to K's 4th
2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.2. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.
3. K. B. to Q. B's 4th.3. K. B. to Q. B's 4th

It is generally admitted that Black's third move is the best he can adopt; and the opening now formed is that which the Italians have entitled the "Giuoco Piano;" an opening, less attacking than many others, but one perfectly safe for both players, and therefore always in request, and which usually generates games of the most solid and instructive kind.

 4. P. to Q. B's 3d. 4. K. Kt. to B's 3d. (best)
 5. P. to Q's 4th. 5. P. takes P.
 6. P. to K's 5th. 6. P. to Q's 4th. (best)
 7. K. B. to Q. Kt's 5th. 7. K. Kt. to K's 5th.
 8. B. takes Kt. (ch.) 8. P. takes B.
 9. P. takes P. 9. B. to Q. Kt's 3d.
10. Castles.10. Q. B. to K. Kt's 5th.
11. Q. B. to K's 3d.11. Castles.
The game is equal.


Variation I.
Beginning at Black's 6th move.

  WHITE.  BLACK.
 1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.
 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.
 3. K. B. to Q. B's 4th. 3. K. B. to Q. B's 4th.
 4. P. to Q. B's 3d. 4. K. Kt. to B's 3d.
 5. P. to Q's 4th. 5. P. takes P.
 6. P. to K's 5th. 6. K. Kt. to K's 5th.
 7. K. B. to Q's 5th. 7. Kt. takes K. B's P.
 8. K. takes Kt. 8. P. takes P. (dis. ch.)
 9. K. to Kt's 3d. 9. P. takes Q. Kt's P.
10. Q. B. takes P.10. Q. Kt. to K's 2d.
11. Q. to her B's 2d.11. P. to Q's 3d.
12. B. to K's 4th.12. Kt. to K. Kt's 3d.
13. Q. Kt. to Q's 2d.13. P. to Q. B's 3d.
14. Q. R. to Q's sq.
And the game appears to me in your favor.

Remember that at your move 14. you must not, instead of playing Q. R. to Q's sq., take the Kt. with your B., and afterwards play 15. Q. Kt. to K's 4th, because after taking your B. with K. R's P., he might move Q. B. to K. B's 4th, and thus prevent you moving your Kt. advantageously.

Variation II.
Beginning at White's 6th move.