XII
Interpose.—To move a man between an attacked man and the opponent’s piece which attacks it. Very often “checks” to the King, and attacks upon the Queen are warded off by interposing a Pawn or piece. As an illustration of “interposing” let the student refer to the diagram on page 289. If White play 1 Q R 3 ch, then Black plays 1 ... P Kt 5, thereby warding off the check. The Pawn thus moved is said to be interposed. Similarly, if it were Black’s turn to move, and he played 1 Q K 8 ch, or 1 R Q 8 ch, then White could play either 1 ... R Kt sq, or 1 ... Kt B sq, either piece then warding off the check, or “interposing.”
Isolated Pawn.—When a Pawn occupies any file, both the adjoining files of which are unoccupied by any Pawns or Pawn of the same colour, such Pawn is said to be “isolated.” In the diagram on page 286, White’s Pawns on Q B 3 and Q R 7 are both “isolated.” Isolated Pawns in an end game are often weak, whilst Pawns on adjoining files are generally strong.
J’adoube.—This is a French term, and means “I adjust,” and is used by players who may touch a man without intending to move it. Any English expression signifying that the man is touched merely with the intention of adjusting it on the board may be used. Any man that may be touched without such intimation being given, must be moved should it be the player’s turn to move, hence the importance of saying "j’adoube" (or similar words) in such cases. Young players (and indeed old ones also for that matter) should never get into a habit of touching any piece unless they intend to move it, except such piece manifestly needs to be adjusted on its square. Such a habit is likely to irritate your opponent.