The position on the Book Cover
This position occurred in a game between Sir G. A. Thomas of
London and the author. Black has just played Q-e7 in order to
protect the mate which was threatened by Ktxf6+ followed by Qxh7.
If in the position of the diagram White played Kt-f6+, Black
would retake with the Pawn, thereby protecting the Pawn h7 with
his Queen. However, White can force the mate with a neat Queen's
sacrifice which drives Black's King right into the arms of the
remaining White pieces. Play continued as follows:
(1) Qxh7+ Kxh7
(2) Ktxf6++ K-h6
The King cannot go to h8 on account of Kt-g6 mate. White now
continually checks Black's King in such a manner that he has only
one square to go to until he is finally driven to the first rank,
all White pieces participating in the chase.
(3) Kte5-g4+
In answer to Ktf6-g4+ Black would play K-h5; (4) B-g6+, K-h4; (5)
P-g3+, K-h3 and there is no mate.
(3) ... K-g5
(4) P-h4+ K-f4
(5) P-g3+ K-f3
(6) B-e2+ K-g2
(7) R-h2+ K-g1
(8) K-d2 mate.
White could have forced the mate in seven instead of eight moves
by playing (6) K-f1, or (6) o-o, for there was no protection
against (7) Kt-h2.
III
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHESS STRATEGY
In reading the chapter on "Elementary Tactics" the beginner will
have obtained a fair idea of the value of the different pieces
and he will have gained an insight into the possibilities of
their cooperation. However, the fundamental principle of Chess
strategy, the method of developing the inherent powers of the men
so that they may be able to do all the work possible for them,
will still be a secret to him.
At the beginning of the game the Knights are the only pieces
which are able to move, and consequently the other pieces are
worthless until openings have been created for them by Pawn
moves. Now, the first thing the beginner should try to keep in
mind is that only such Pawn moves can be good as open lines for
their fellow pieces or obstruct lines of opposing men. The reason
is this:
In any hand to hand fight evidently that player will get the
better of it who has more pieces ready for action on the
battlefield. When examining the typical positions discussed in
the previous chapter the fact will strike the observant reader
that the winning player always has a decided superiority of
forces at his disposal where the actual fight is going on, so
that in some cases he can even sacrifice a great amount of them
and still have enough left for the final onslaught against the
King.
The same holds good in combinations where lesser objects
than the King are fought for; the player who has more pieces
ready to take part in the struggle will emerge victorious; the
player who attacks with less pieces than the opponent has on the
spot for defense, cannot hope to succeed.
[E-text editor note: The position on the book cover is:
+---------------------------------------+
8 | #R | #Kt| | | | #R | #K | |
|---------------------------------------|
7 | #P | #B | #P | #P | #Q | | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | | #P | | | #P | #B | | |
|---------------------------------------|
5 | | | | | ^Kt| | | ^Q |
|---------------------------------------|
4 | | | | ^P | ^Kt| | | |
|---------------------------------------|
3 | | | | ^B | | | | |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P | ^P | | | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R | | | | ^K | | | ^R |
+---------------------------------------+
a b c d e f g h
|
