Black has the better game, thereby proving that the Double Gambit, if correctly met, is disadvantageous to the first player.
Game III.
| WHITE. | BLACK. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | P. to K’s 4th. | 1. | P. to K’s 4th. |
| 2. | K’s B. to Q. B’s 4th. | 2. | K’s Kt. to B’s 3d. |
| 3. | K’s Kt. to B’s 3d. | 3. | Kt. takes K’s P. (best.) |
Your third move is probably the best on the board; 3. P. to Q’s 4th, and 3. P. to Q’s 3d, seem much inferior, as Black immediately gains the attack.
| 4. | Q’s Kt. to B’s 3d. | 4. | K’s Kt. to B’s 3d. |
Your fourth move was introduced two or three years ago, and was first analysed by Mr. Boden, in his “Popular Introduction,” where Black’s reply, of 4. K’s Kt. to B’s 3d, is recommended as his best; we believe, however, he can at least as advantageously play 4. Kt. takes Q’s Kt., or, as has been suggested to us, 4. P. to Q’s 4th.; see [Variation A.]
| 5. | Kt. takes K’s P. | 5. | P. to Q’s 4th. |
| 6. | B. to Q. Kt.’s 3d. | 6. | B. to Q’s 3d. |
| Equal game. | |||
Variation A. on Black’s 4th Move.
| WHITE. | BLACK. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 4. | Kt. takes Q’s Kt. | ||
| 5. | Q’s P. takes Kt. | 5. | P. to Q. B’s 3d. |
He may also play 5. P. to K. B’s 3d, by which he preserves his Pawn, though with a somewhat inferior position.