Black’s 5th move has been recommended by almost all the authorities as the correct reply; although the moves 5. P. to Q’s 3d; 5. B. to K’s 2d; or 5. K’s Kt. to B’s 3d, seem, to say the least, equally advantageous for the second player.
| 6. | B. to Q. B’s 4th. | 6. | Kt. to K. R’s 3d. |
| 7. | P. to Q’s 4th. | 7. | P. to K. B’s 6th. |
| 8. | P. takes P. (best.) | 8. | P. to Q’s 3d. |
| 9. | Kt. to Q’s 3d. | 9. | B. to K’s 2d. |
| 10. | B. to K’s 3d. | ||
This is the move given by the “books;” B. to K. B’s 4th, however, appears at least as good.
| 10. | B. takes K. R’s P. (ch.) | ||
| 11. | K. to Q’s 2d. | 11. | P. takes P. |
| 12. | Q. takes P. | 12. | B. to K. Kt.’s 5th. |
| 13. | Q. to K. B’s 4th. | 13. | Q’s Kt. to B’s 3d. |
One of the advantages of the move 10. B. to K. B’s 4th, as suggested above, seems to be that the White Q. could not be played to K’s 3d, instead of the more assailable part of K. B’s 4th.
| 14. | Q’s Kt. to B’s 3d. |
And the game, in spite of the formidable appearance of the adverse Bishops, seems in White’s favour, from the disposition of his forces, so well calculated for a vigorous assault.
N.B.—It would be very unadvisable for Black to reply to White’s move of Kt. to Q. B’s 3d. with Kt. takes Q’s P.
| 14. | Kt. takes Q’s P. | ||
| 15. | B. takes Kt. | 15. | B. to K. Kt.’s 4th. |
| 16. | B. takes K’s R. | 16. | B. takes Q. (ch.) |
| 17. | Kt. takes B. | ||
And White has a more than ample equivalent for his lost Queen, and a considerable superiority of position.