...4.Kt to B 3
5.Kt to Q B 35.B to Kt 5

If 5. P to K 5, Black's best reply is 5. ... Kt to K Kt 5; 6. Q to K 4, P to Q 4; 7. P takes P e.p.: ch., B to K 3; 8. P takes P, Q to Q 8: ch., followed by 9. ... Kt takes P: ch. and 10. ... Kt takes Q, with the better game.

PETROFF'S DEFENCE.

Here, after 1. P to K 4, P to K 4; 2. Kt to K B 3, Black, instead of defending the K P with 2. ... Kt to Q B 3, plays Kt to K B 3, attacking the opponent's K P. This mode of defence is sometimes adopted if the second player wishes to avoid the Ruy Lopez, Scotch Opening, or Evans Gambit. On the whole it yields a safe defence, although somewhat tame in the majority of variations.

THE KING'S GAMBITS.

The reader has already had several examples of Gambits, but others still remain to be described. A pawn is sacrificed in order to get a compensating advantage in a rapid development of the pieces, and an immediate attack. Formerly the Gambits were played very frequently, but more perfect knowledge of the possible defences has caused the less speculative Openings to be resorted to in preference—a

tacit admission that the Gambits are for the most part hazardous for the first player, though they give rise to ingenious combinations and interesting positions.

The principal Gambits (apart from the "Evans") are the King's Knight's and King's Bishop's Gambits. From the former spring other well-known Gambits, such as the Kieseritzky, Allgaier, Muzio, &c.

THE KING'S KNIGHT'S GAMBIT.
WHITE.BLACK.
1.P to K 41.P to K 4
2.P to K B 42.P takes P
3.Kt to K B 3...