SEVERAL of our weekly contemporaries have, as is known to our readers, adopted the practice of giving a Chess column. We must own, however, that the result has not been commensurate with the beginning in most cases, as many of them, although furnishing occasionally some good games, have been lamentably deficient in editorial merit. It is not necessary to state, that in this censure the Chess column of the Illustrated London News is not included, as that interesting newspaper has for several years enjoyed peculiar advantages. Another exception to the Boeotian rule appears to be the Era, from which we have extracted a fine game, with its notes. The match alluded to by our contemporary was played at Herr KLING'S Chess Rooms, Mr. ZYTOGORSKI Scoring six games, and Mr. JANSSENS, who, perhaps, has not yet reached his full force, four games.

The following skilful and scientific game has terminated the match between Messrs. ŽYTOGORSKI and JANSSENS, in favour of the former :

(Sicilian Opening.)

White. (Mr. ZYTOGORSKI.)

1. P. to K. fourth

2. P. to Q. B. fourth (a) 3. Q. Kt. to Q. B. third 4. P. to K. B. fourth

5. P. to K. Kt. third

6. K. Kt. to K. second

7. Kt. takes Kt.

8. K. B. to K. Kt. second

9. P. to Q. third

10. Q. B. to K. third 11. Castles

12. Q. R. to Q. Kt. square (c)

13. Kt. to K. second

14. Q. takes Kt.

15. P. to Q. Kt. fourth

16. P. to Q. Kt. fifth

17. Q. R. to Q. square

18. P. to K. Kt. fourth

19. P. to K. R. fourth
20. P. to K. Kt. fifth
21. P. to K. R. fifth
22. K. R. to K. B. third
23. P. takes K. Kt. P.
24. P. takes K. R. P.
25. K. R. to K. Kt. third
26. P. to K. R. seventh (g)

Black. (Mr. JANSSENS.)

1. P. to Q. B. fourth

2. P. to K. third

3. Q. Kt. to Q. B. third
4. K. Kt. to K. second

5. Q. Kt. to Q. fifth

6. K. Kt. to Q. B. third (b)

7. Kt. takes Kt.

8. K. B. to K. second

9. P. to Q. third

10. K. B. to K. B. third
11. Castles

12. Q. R. to Q. Kt. square
13. Kt. takes Kt. (check)
14. P. to Q. Kt. third
15. B. to Q. Kt. second
16. K. to his R. square
17. Q. to Q. B. second

18. P. to K. Kt. third

19. K. R. to K. Kt. square (d)
20. K. B. to Kt. second
21. P. to K. R. third (e)
22. P. to Q. fourth
23. K. B. P. takes P. (ƒ)
24. K. B. to his third
25. P. to K. Kt. fourth
26. K. R. to K. Kt. second

And wins.

(a) This old move has gone out of use. "B. to Q. B. fourth,” or “Kt. to K. B. third," is generally recommended by the authors.

(b) It is obvious that checking with the Kt. would have lost Black

(c) White made this move probably with the intention of throwing up the Q. Kt. Pawn.

(d) If Black takes K. R. Pawn, White replies with "P. to K. Kt. fifth," winning the Bishop. (e) The correct move. Had he taken the R. Pawn, the Queen, by retaking the adverse Pawn, would have secured the game for White. (f) Had he taken the King's Pawn, the following interesting variation would have occurred :

It is manifest that had Black played P. to K. R. fourth, White would have won easily, by taking the Pawn with the Rook (check), &c.

26. Q. to Q. Kt. second (check) | 26. K. to R. second

If R. to Kt. second, White, by taking the R. Pawn, wins the Rook; and on interposing with Queen or Bishop, he is mated on the move.

Winning easily.

(9) We believe that White might have safely taken the K. Kt. Pawn with the Rook.

(h) White, by not taking the adverse K. Pawn, did not fall into the

(All these moves are admirably played by White.

(Very ingenious. If after this move White had played his King to his Rook's second, he would have lost the game, as the following moves

If Black takes the other Bishop with his Rook, the game will be drawn.

A game played in 1851, between Mr. RANKEN and Mr. H. E. BIRD.

Ruy Lopez' Knight's Game.

(a) In the opinion of many skilful players, and, we may say, in that of one of the best judges of openings in Europe, Herr Löwenthal, the Ruy Lopez' Knight's Game can, by the application of a very simple principle, be proved to be indefensible. They contend that the first player, if he contents himself with taking off the Q. Knight, has the best game, on account of Black's doubled Pawns. It was, perhaps, this that induced Lucena, who wrote at a date anterior to Lopez, to suggest for Black's

third move, "K. Kt. to K. second." But we are disposed to think that, however theoretically correct the opposition to doubled Pawns may be, in practical play the freedom of Black's pieces on the Queen's side would, after the proposed exchange has taken place, afford him a tolerable compensation.

(b) This move is not badly judged for attack, but "Q. to K. second," and "Castles," are of equal, if not superior, efficacy.

(c) An unusual and odd-looking move, but not without resource, and therefore fit to be played against an opponent who piqued himself on his skill in this particular opening.

(d) Had he taken the Pawn with his Queen, Black would perhaps have replied with "Q. to her B. fourth," and extricated himself from the thraldom of the attack.

(e) "Q. to her B. fourth" appears a better move.

(f) "P. to Q. B. fourth" is a move that may be looked at in this début; but its ultimate consequences, if Black reply with "Kt. to Q. B. second," do not seem to be very promising.

(g) The time for making this move with advantage is not present now. Black should have moved his Knight away.

(h) If White had not been misled by the specious but false attack commenced at his next move, he would have taken Queen with Queen, and then Knight with Bishop.

(i) He should have taken the Knight off.

(k) "Q. B. to Q. R. third" is perhaps stronger, but we doubt if even then the attack is an equivalent for the loss of the Pawn.

(7) A move, the full consequences of which could hardly have been seen by White, when he sacrificed the Q. Kt. Pawn.

(m) This game is very ably conducted by the second player. It would be gratifying to see all skilful amateurs make a stand for the open game, and not to have it generally concluded that the defence in such an encounter must necessarily be unsuccessful.

THE ensuing Circular is on its route to all the leading Chess Clubs of this country:

:

NORTHERN AND MIDLAND COUNTIES' CHESS ASSOCIATION.

The main objects of this Association are:

To bring to all districts, in their turn, the best Chess Masters of the day. To give Provincial Amateurs a better opportunity of testing their relative strength than they have at present.

To form a species of Congress of Chess Clubs, at which all questions regarding the game can be discussed.

And, ultimately, it is hoped to establish a Grand General Association of British Chess-players, without reference to town or country. VOL. II.

ZZ