VIII
Close Game.—See “Game” later on.
Combinations.—The concentrated action of two or more pieces and Pawns, operating in common either for attack or defence.
Command: Commanded.—To “command” a square is to have the power of moving a piece on to it, or to capture an enemy’s piece that already occupies it. To “command” the board is to have the pieces so placed that a great many of the squares are commanded.
Counter Gambit.—See “Game” later on.
Counter Attack.—See “Game” later on.
Debut.—A French word, meaning “opening,” sometimes used by English writers on chess.
Defi.—A French word meaning “challenge,” and sometimes used in English chess books.
Develop: Development.—To develop a piece is to bring it into more active play. To develop a game is to bring as many pieces as you possibly can into active co-operation.
Doubled Pawn.—Two Pawns of the same colour standing on the same file are said to be “doubled.” Generally, but not always, this is a weak position for the Pawns to occupy, as one cannot support the other.
Doubled Rooks.—When two Rooks of the same colour occupy the same file, or the same rank with no man of their own colour intervening they are said to be “doubled.” This is one of the strongest positions the Rooks can occupy.
End Game.—See “Game” later on.
En Passant.—A French term, meaning “in passing,” and applied to a peculiar capture of P by P, which I have fully described previously.
En Prise.—A French term signifying “exposed,” or in danger of capture. In chess a piece or Pawn is said to be en prise when it is attacked by an enemy’s piece and not sufficiently guarded. We do not say, however, that the K is en prise when attacked, but in check, as already explained.
Establish.—To establish a piece or Pawn is to place it in such a position that it cannot be dislodged by the enemy’s pieces, except at a loss. To establish a centre of Pawns is to occupy the centre squares of the board with Pawns, which mutually strengthen and support each other.
Exchange.—The winning of one piece by the losing of another.
Exchange, To Win The.—The winning of a superior piece by losing an inferior one. Especially used when a Rook is won at the expense of a B or Kt. The player on winning the R is said to have “won the exchange”; the player losing the R is said to have “lost the exchange.”