In this variation it is not advisable to take the offered Gambit pawn, though Black might have done so if he had played 2. ... Kt to Q B 3 instead of 2. ... Kt to K B 3.
4. B P takes P 4. Kt takes P 5. Q to B 3 5. Kt to Q B 3 6. B to Kt 5 ...
If 6. Kt takes Kt, Black would win with 6. ... Kt to Q 5; 7. Q to Q 3 (best), P takes Kt; 8. Q takes P, B to K B 4, to be followed by Kt takes P: ch. &c.
... 6. Kt takes Kt 7. Kt P takes Kt (!) 7. B to K 2 8. P to Q 4 8. B to K 3 9. Kt to K 2 9. Castles 10. Castles With a very good game.
P to K 4 P to K 4 1. -------- 1. -------- P to K 4 P to K 4
Kt to Q B 3 Kt to Q B 3 2. ----------- 2. ----------- B to B 4 Kt to Q B 3
P to B 4 P to K Kt 3 3. -------- 3. ----------- P to Q 3 B to B 4
Kt to B 3 B to Kt 2 4. ----------- 4. --------- Kt to K B 3 P to Q 3
B to B 4 Kt to R 4 5. --------- 5. --------- Kt to B 3 B to Kt 3
P to Q 3 Kt takes B 6. ----------- 6. ------------ B to K Kt 5 R P takes Kt
Kt to Q R 4 Kt to K 2 7. ----------- 7. --------- B to Kt 3 P to B 4
Kt takes B P to Q 3 8. ------------ 8. --------- R P takes Kt Kt to B 3
This gambit is an offshoot of the Vienna Opening. It leads to a very difficult game, and the student will be well advised to avoid it. It is, however, desirable that he should know the moves of the Opening. { 387}
WHITE. BLACK. 1. P to K 4 1. P to K 4 2. Kt to Q B 3 2. Kt to Q B 3 3. P to B 4 3. P takes P 4. P to Q 4 ...
This constitutes the Steinitz Gambit. The White King becomes exposed to a violent attack; but if the attack fails, White is able to exchange pieces, and so obtain a superior End game, his King (an essential factor in the ending) being in better play than the Black King.
Next in importance to the Ruy Lopez and the Vienna Opening is the _Scotch_, an Opening very frequently adopted in matches and tournaments. If after 1. P to K 4, P to K 4; 2. Kt to K B 3, Kt to Q B 3; White plays 3. P to Q 4, it is called the _Scotch Game_. Black's best move is 3. ... P takes P (not 3. ... Kt takes P), and White can either retake the Pawn or leave it. In the latter case the Opening becomes the _Scotch Gambit_. The former Opening is considered sounder than the latter, and for that reason is met with more frequently nowadays. Formerly, when Gambits generally were more in vogue, the Scotch Gambit enjoyed corresponding popularity. A few of the most essential variations of this interesting Opening follow. First, of the Scotch game.
