White's best move was P - Q Kt 3, when would follow Kt × B; 3 Q × Kt, R - R 6 and Black would ultimately win the Q R P, always keeping a slight advantage in position. The text move makes matters easier.
2. ........ Kt × B 3. Q × Kt Q - B 5 4. K R - Q 1 K R - Kt 1
Black could have regained the Pawn by playing B × Kt, but he sees that there is more to be had, and therefore increases the pressure against White's Queen side. He now threatens, among other things, R × Kt P.
Threatening to win the exchange by B - Q 5.
6. Q - Kt 5 B - Q 5 ch 7. K - R 1 Q R - Kt 1
This threatens to win the Kt, and thus forces White to give up the exchange.
EXAMPLE 49.--An examination of this position will show that Black's main weakness lies in the exposed position of his King, and in the fact that his Q R has not yet come into the game. Indeed, if it were Black's move, we might conclude that he would have the better game, on account of having three Pawns to two on the Queen's side, and his Bishop commanding the long diagonal.
It is, however, White's move, and he has two courses to choose from. The obvious move, B - B 4, might be good enough, since after 1 B - B 4, Q R - Q 1; 2 P - Q Kt 4 would make it difficult for Black. But there is another move which completely upsets Black's position and wins a Pawn, besides obtaining the better position. That move is Kt - Q 4 ! The game continues as follows:
There is nothing better, as White threatened B - B 4.
3. B - B 4 ch K - R 1 4. R - K 6 P - Q 6 5. R × P
And White, with the better position, is a Pawn ahead.
These positions have been given with the idea of acquainting the student with different types of combinations. I hope they will also help to develop his imagination, a very necessary quality in a good player. The student should note, in all these middle-game positions, that--
_once the opportunity is offered, all the pieces are thrown into action "en masse" when necessary;_ and that _all the pieces smoothly co-ordinate their action with machine-like precision._
That, at least, is what the ideal middle-game play should be, if it is not so altogether in these examples.
Before we revert to the technique of the openings it will be advisable to dwell a little on general theory, so that the openings in their relation to the rest of the game may be better understood.