If thoroughly acquainted with the information contained in the preceding sections, you may now proceed to the consideration of the openings; before you do this, however, it is necessary to apprise you that without a great abridgment of the notation adopted in the foregoing game, it would be impossible to compress within the limits of this work one-third of the variations which are required to be given. The following abbreviations will therefore be used throughout the remainder of our Handbook:—
| K. | for | King. |
| Q. | Queen. | |
| R. | Rook. | |
| B. | Bishop. | |
| Kt. | Knight. | |
| P. | Pawn. | |
| sq. | square. | |
| adv. | adversary's. | |
| ch. | check or checking. | |
| dis. ch. | discovering check. |
The word "square" is only used to distinguish the first row of squares on which the superior Pieces stand at the commencement—thus, we say, Kt. to K's 2d, and omit the word square; but if the Kt. were played to K's first square or R's first square, the move would be described not as Kt. to K's or R's first square, but "Kt. to K's or R's square."
CHAPTER II.
THE KING'S KNIGHT'S OPENING
| WHITE. | BLACK. |
| 1. P. to K's 4th. | 1. P. to K's 4th. |
| 2. K's Kt. to B's 3d. |
Your second move gives the name to this opening, which is one of the most popular and instructive of all the various methods of commencing the game. The Kt., it will be observed, at once attacks the adverse Pawn, and the defence recommended by the best authors and the leading players of Europe, is for Black to reply 2. Q's Kt. to B's 3d. He has, however, many other ways of playing, and as the examination of these comparatively simple variations will serve to prepare you for the more complex and elaborate combinations of the best defences, it will be advisable to consider them previously. In the first place, then, Black may sustain his Pawn by playing—