Chess Items.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 48

Chess Items.

The science of chess, like that of war, of which it is the faithful image, espejially consists in the j study of the snares which a skilful opponent is i constantly laying under your stepa. These are all I tha more formidable because they cloak the [ danger under the appearance of presenting an I advantage, acd woe to him who permits himself 1 to be beguiled by the illusions of this fatal triumph Although the variety of snares is, so to speak, infinite, and especially in proportion to the skill of the player, it is, neveitheless, necessary to be initiated in the combinations more usually employed so as ' not to fall blind into the middle of the dilch. 'lhis particular study has, moreover, immense attraction ; it throws light on the enemy's plans and discloses the dangeis. It develops the sphere of the imagination, ripens tlw experience, makes the pjwer of calcu'ation accurate, and facilitates the means of not nicely avoiding mistakes, but even of in turn bringing about positions which wonderfully compromise the enemy's game it is the study of snaies and the middl' game which familiar.ses the amateur with the ches3 board and enables him to analyse variations beforehand, and thus to turn into certainties matters which at the time are for the most part only probabilities It ip, in fact, the most essential part of the study of the game of chess. LA. B. C. des Echecs. We especially recommend to beginners before all things to study end games. It is easier to manoeuvre on the chess board a few pieces than the whole of them—the school of the soldiers before-the school of the battalion. Moreover, the values and resources of the pieces are more easily noticed, for on an almost clear board their poweis are most fully shown.- -Ibidem. ■ When the p.-sition looks desperate it ought cot to be given up too has'ily, ' hut it should be . examined with a view of finding whether there is not some move, some sacrifice unforeseen by the opponent which may change defeat into victory. All payers make; mistakes, .and the victory bel ngs not. to him whi mikes no;ie, but to him who makes fewest, lhat being so, why not hope that the aaversary will make a blunder equal or worse than that which has already compromised your £anie? But supposing eyety appearance of winning has gon**, the possibility remains of making a draw, as is seen every day i 'Oes not the hope of a surprise by A stale mate, a perpetual check, or a series of exchanges which will leave a force insufficient to mate still remain 1 You should then, as long as possible, cherish the good ' fortune whiob may bring about a draw, which j becomes a glory when pulled out of the fire. — | Ibid. . I Amateura should examine, at least superficially, < all the openings; then each, according zo his dis- i position ''or attack or defence,- should study care- ' fully the openi= gs to wbich he is partial. The > best way of making progiess is to conjoin study with practice, and, as much as possible, practihe with stionger players.—lbid.