THE BEST MOVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2676, 28 June 1905, Page 62

THE BEST MOVE.

In his lecture on Chess at the Otago Chess j Club last Wednesday evening, Mr R. A. I Cleland remarked that in some openings there "was a critical stage arrived at when it was . of' the greatest importance to know the best move. Mr Cleland cited some examples, and ! ■howed clearly and conclusively that the best Snove was by no means the most obvious one. For the benefit of those interested, we publish below the examples given in the hope that they will prove serviceable to devotees >f the game: — / .Two Knights' Defence. (1) P-K 4, P-K 4; (2) Kt-K B 3, Kt-Q B 3; ' <3) B-B 4, Kt-B 3; (4) Xt-Xt 5, P-Q 4; (5) P x P, Kfr x P; (6) Xt x B P, X x Xt; (7) Q-B 3 eh, K-K 3; (8) Kt-B 3. The best move for Black is now Xt-Xt 5. Scotch Gambit. (1) P-K 4,. P-K 4; (2) Kt-K B 3, Kt-Q B B; (3) P-Q 4, P x P; (4) Xt x P, Q-R 5. The best move for White is now (5) Xt-Xt 5. This move was first' adopted by Horwitz, I and was played with conspicuous success in » match game between Vienna and London. Muzio Gambit. (1) P-K 4, P-K 4; (2) P-K B 4, P x P; \S) Kt-K B 3, P-K Xt 4; (4) B-B 4, P-Kt 5; (5) Castles, P x Xt; (6) Q s> E-, Q-K B 3; (7) P-K 5, Q x P; (8) P-Q 3, B-R 3; (9) B-Q 2, Kt-K 2; (10) Kt-E 3, Q Kt-B 3; (11) Q R-K 1. Black's best move is now Q-K ( "~B 4, and "was first discovered by L. Paulsen, • ■' who has thus handed his num. down to 1 * posterity, as the originator of this 'line of iefence. Evans Gambit Declined. "■ (l)-;PrK,4, 'P±K-4; '(2)-\Kt-K 'B 3, KtQ B '*; (3) B-B 4, B-B 4; (4) P-Q Xt 4, B-Kt 3; .-(5) P.-Kt 5, Kt-R, 4; (6),Ktr P, Q-B 3; (7) -■-B_x-*B eh.' After- some- study, it was found that K-B 1 was Black's nest best move. Allgaier Gambit. (1) P-K 4, P-K 4; (2) P-K B i P x P; [3) Kt-K B 3, P-K Xt 4; (4) P-K R 4, P-Kt S; (5) Xt-Xt 5, P-R.3; (6) Xt x P, X x Xt; (7) Q xP, Kt-K B 3; (8) Q x P. An individual rejoicing in the name of "Homey" made his name famous by playing B-Q 3 for Black's sighth move, and anyone playing this Gambit , Bver must concede that Mr Homey made the best move. Ponziani Opening. (1) P-K 4, P-K 4; (2) Kt-K B 3, Kt-Q B 3; (3) P-Q 83, P-Q 4; (4) Q-R 4. Consideration must now be given to the next best move for Black. Steinitz, the world-renowned chess master, after careful analysis, played P-K B 3 • for Black's fourth move, and that move at the : present day constitutes "Steinitz's Defence."