At the present day, however, as we have said, the defence of 3. ... P to Q R 3 is discarded by the best authorities in favour of 3. ... Kt to K B 3. The game may then proceed as follows:
| 4. | Castles | 4. | Kt takes P |
| 5. | P to Q 4 | 5. | B to K 2 |
| 6. | Q to K 2 | 6. | Kt to Q 3 (!) |
| 7. | B takes Kt | 7. | Kt P takes B (!) |
If 7. ... Q P takes B, White would obtain an advantage by 8. P takes P, Kt to B 4; 9. R to Q sq., B to Q 2; 10. P to K 6 (!), P takes P; 11. Kt to K 5, Kt to Q 3 (or B to Q 3); 12. Q to R 5; ch., P to Kt 3; 13. Kt takes Kt P, and wins.
| 8. | P takes P | 8. | Kt to Kt 2 (!) |
| 9. | Kt to B 3 | 9. | Kt to B 4 |
| 10. | Kt to Q 4 | 10. | Castles |
The tempting move 10. ... B to R 3, winning the exchange, would be unsound, because of White's reply 11. Q to Kt 4, Castles; 12. B to R 6, &c.
Another variation proceeds as follows:
| 4. | P to Q 4 | 4. | P takes P |
| 5. | Castles | 5. | B to K 2 |
| 6. | P to K 5 | 6. | Kt to K 5 |
| 7. | R to K sq. | 7. | Kt to B 4 |
| 8. | B takes Kt | 8. | Q P takes B (!) |
| 9. | Kt takes P | 9. | Castles |
| 10. | B to K 3 | 10. | R to K sq. |
| 11. | Kt to Q B 3 | 11. | Kt to K 3 |
| 12. | Kt to B 5 | 12. | Kt to B sq. |
| Even game. | |||
The remaining Openings, though not less important, we shall be compelled to deal with more briefly. It must, however, be remembered that it is only the first three or four moves on either side (or even less) which constitute a given Opening. All beyond these are optional, though in many instances the best moves in continuation on either side have been ascertained by careful analysis, and these are consequently known, among players, as "book" moves.