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White. Black (P to K's th P to K's th K's Kt) (IV)

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th. 2. K's Kt. to B's 3d. 2. Q's Kt. to B's 3d.

This is recommended by nearly all authors, as Black's best reply. Of late, however, there has been an opinion prevalent among many of our best players, that it is inferior to K's Kt. to B's 3d, or even P. to Q's 3d. For our own part, we incline to the old move of Q's Kt. to B's 3d, but doubt whether there is any defence by which Black can acquire a perfectly even game. 3. B. to Q. B's 4th. 3. B. to Q. B's 4th. (best.) 4. P. to Q. B's 3d. 4. K's Kt. to B's 3d. (best.) 5. P. to Q's 4th. 5. P. takes P. 6. P. to K's 5th, (or Var. A.) 6. P. to Q's 4th. (best.) 7. K's B. to Q. Kt.'s 5th. 7. K's Kt. to K's 5th. 8. P. takes P. 8. B. to Q. Kt.'s 3d. (best.) 9. Castles. 9. Q's B. to K. Kt.'s 5th. 10. B. takes Kt. (ch.) 10. P. takes B. 11. Q's B. to K's 3d, or Q's Kt. to B's 3d. 11. Castles.

These are the moves given in the Handbook, and the game is dismissed as equal. In actual play, however, we should take Black's game for choice. Variation A. on White's 6th Move.

WHITE. BLACK. 6. P. takes P. 6. B. to Q. Kt.'s 5th (ch.) White's 6th move is recommended by the German masters, and in our opinion is preferable to P. to K's 5th; Black's best reply is to check,-- 7. B. to Q's 2d. 7. B. takes B. (ch.) 8. Q's Kt. takes B. 8. P. to Q's 4th. 9. P. takes P. 9. Kt. takes P. 10. Q. to Q. Kt.'s 3d. 10. Q's Kt. to K's 2d. 11. K's R. to K's sq.

We much prefer White's game.