| WHITE. | BLACK. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | P. to K’s 4th. | 1. | P. to K’s 4th. |
| 2. | K. B. to Q. B’s 4th. | 2. | K. B. to Q. B’s 4th. |
By this move you attack his weakest point, viz. the K. B’s P. Most of the classical writers on Chess concur in recommending the same move as Black’s best reply. Major Jaenisch and the German authors unanimously recommend 2. K’s Kt. to B’s 3d in preference, the move generally adopted in actual play. (See [Game III.])
White has now several methods of continuing the attack. He may play the move recommended by Philidor, viz. P. to Q. B’s 3d, to which Black may reply with either K’s Kt. to B’s 3d, or Q. to K. Kt.’s 4th, or P. to Q’s 4th, in every case with at least an equal game.
You may also play K’s Kt. to B’s 3d, and upon Black’s bringing out his Q’s Kt., the position is resolved into the [Giuoco Piano].
If you play Q. to K. R’s 5th, (a move frequently adopted by young players,) Black will reply with Q. to K B’s 3d, or to K’s 2d, with no inferiority of position. Besides these moves you have two others at command, viz. Q. to K’s 2d, and P. to Q. Kt.’s 4th, which we will proceed to examine.
Game I.—The Lopez Gambit.
| WHITE. | BLACK. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | P. to K’s 4th. | 1. | P. to K’s 4th. |
| 2. | K. B. to Q. B’s 4th. | 2. | K. B to Q. B’s 4th. |
| 3. | Q. to K’s 2d. | 3. | Q’s Kt. to B’s 3d. |
By playing thus you threaten at once to take his K. B’s P. (ch.), and if K. takes B, to win his Bishop in return by the check of the Q. The move in the text is Black’s best reply, any other move would leave you with at least an even position.
| 4. | P. to Q. B’s 3d. | 4. | K’s Kt. to B’s 3d. |
Instead of P. to Q. B’s 3d, you may take the adverse K. B’s P (ch.); see [Variation A.]