Page:The chess-player's text book.djvu/42

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30
THE CHESS-PLAYER'S

The position here, described in writing, would be given thus :—

WHITE. BLACK.
K. at his sq. K. at his sq.
K. R. at his sq.

And the system of play to be adopted for effecting the Check-mate most speedily is the following :—

WHITE. BLACK.
1. K. R. to his 7th.
(The object of this move, you will readily perceive, is to restrain the movements of the Black King to the extreme rank of squares; he would otherwise be enabled to march about the board, and delay the Check-mate considerably.)
 1. K. to his B.'s sq.
(He might move to Q.'s sq., but, as you will soon understand, that would hasten his defeat.)
2. K. to his 2nd.
(Having so confined the adverse King that he can parade only backwards and forwards on the last rank of squares, you hasten to bring your King up to assist in giving the Check-mate.)
 2. K. to his Kt's sq.
(He gains a little time by this move, since you are compelled to save your Rook by flight.)
3. R. to Q. R.'s 7th. 3. K. to K. B.'s sq.
4. K. to K.'s 3rd.
(Your Rook being now secure for a few moves. you proceed to march forward with your King.)
 4. K to K's sq.
5. K. to K.'s 4th. 5. K to Q.'s sq.
6. K. to Q.'s 5th. 6. K. to Q. B.'s sq.
7. K. to Q.'s 6th. 7. K. to Q. Kt's sq.
(His only hope of delay is by thus attacking the Rook, when he can reach him.)
8. R. to K. R.'s 7th. 8. K. to Q. B.'s sq.
9. R. to K. Kt.'s 7th.
(This move of the Rook is indispensable. Check-mate can only be given when the Kings are facing each other, and you now compel Black to take up that position in three or four moves.)
 9. K. to Q. Kt's sq.
(If he moves opposite the White King, Check-mate follows next move.)
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