GAMES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 52

GAMES.

Game between Napoleon Bonaparte and Marshal Bertrand. (Score ancl notes from " Social Chess," by Mr Jas. Mason.) Scoi'CH Gambit.

(a) Now 3px pis admittedly better. This opening was named the " Scotch Gambit " about 1526, after a famous match between the chess clubs of Edinburgh and London. But, lik3 so many others with modern titles its origin is really " lost in the mists of antiquity." (b) Or 6Bx P ; if kxq, 7 Q-R 5, etc. But the idiosyncrasies of habitual opponents may b? no small part of the game, and often strangely modifies it — viewed from the academic" standpoint of the analyst.

(c) Black has a little plan, but it does not work out satisfactorily.

(d) Better 12 r x b or q x k p, but any way White would have great scope for attack. If 12 q x kt (?), then 13 B-Kt 5 eh, and R mates.

(c) To advance 14 p-r 5, the queen being in danger from 14 b-kt 2. Probably 13 q x k p would be better.

[A brilliant ending. This game has been recorded as one of the mnny played by Napoleon and Marshal Bertrand, at St. Helena, in or about 1820 — certainly some years prior to the match referred to in the foregoing note (a). The great captain was also a great lover of chess, .and practised it always on occasion, from, his early youth to the last days of his life. — Ch. Ed. O. W.]

Game played by Jean Jacques Rousseau and Prince Conti. (From " Social Choss," by Mr James Mason. London: Hoiace Cox, 1900.) Gjuoco Piano.

(a) This game dates back to 1759. The first half-dozen moves would do very well now (1900).

(n) But if Jean Jacques's opponent were defending himself in these days, he could certainly not deal so freely with these pawns, after what might be now called a very ill-judged manner. Omission of the good 7 kt-b 3 i 3 the leading fault in the play.

(c) A promising venture. Two pawns and a lively attack should be practical compensation for a minor piece in all ordinary circumstances.

(d) The other way would be better ; off the line of the R which opens on him presently. (c) For if 11 kt-b 3, 12 Q-R 6 eh, etc., the knight would be lost. Of) To keep Black queen from Xt 3, White plays very brilliantly, tor this really means ths giving up of a rook — if Black will accept. (g) Which he does, but should not. The advanced White pawn should be blocked to give the king a chance to get out of so much danger as evidently threatens. Thus 13 kt-b 3, '14 Q-R 4, k-k 2, and with patience he might make a good defence. (h) If Black takes either bishop with queen, then mate in one or three accordingly. If either queen takes bishop's pawn then both are lost, say after 17 B x Q, and mate easily follows.

[Rousseau, in his " Confessions " often speaks of his skill in chess. If we remember rightly he mentions that he studied Greco. — Ch. Ed. O. W.]

White. Black. Bonaparte. Bertrand, 1 P-K4 P-K4 2 Kt-KB3 KtQB3 3 P Q 4 Xt x P-a 4Ktx Xt Px Xt 5 B-B 4 B-B 4 fi P-QB3-B Q-K2 7 O-O QK 4-c 8 P-K B 4 1' xP eh 9 K-R 1 P x P

White. Black, [tou&sjau. Prince Conti. 1 P-K 4 1»-K 4 2 Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3 3884 E-B 4 4 ii J -B 3 Q-K 2 5 0-0 1' Q, 3 0 V-Q 4 li-Xt 3 7 B-KIUS-A ii J -B 3 ? 88-a4 P-Ktl?-B

White. Black. Bonaparte. Berfcrancl. 10 BxP eh K-Q 1 HPxQ PxR=Q 12BxKt B-K2-D 13Q-Kt3! P-QK4-E 14 li-B8ch! BxR ' 15 B-Ktsch. B-K2 16 Bxß eh Xx B 17 Q-B 7ch K-Q 1 18 Q-B 8, mate.

White. Black. S.ous eau. Priuce Conti. 9 KtxKtP-c P x XL 0 Q-Usch K-81-D IllixP Q-Kt 2-e 12P-B4! I'xQP 3 P-B 5-1? Pxl 1 ch-G [4 K-R i V x P L 5 BxKt P x Pv-Q [Q P-B C and winu-u