A B C D E F G H

Diag. 14

White will assail the Black King's position on the Queen side,
and Black is unable to concentrate his forces quickly enough for
the defence of the jeopardised entrenchments. Let us therefore
bear in mind that the mobility of the pieces is the deciding
factor of their efficiency, and that mobility is the highest
criterion by which to judge the merits (or demerits) of their
operations.

We will now consider this principle in its application to the
three stages of play, namely, the opening, the middle-game, and
the ending.



CHAPTER IV

THE OPENING



The only pieces available on the first move are the Knights. In
order to develop other pieces as well, it is necessary to move
pawns first, and such pawn moves will be best as give an outlet
to as many pieces as possible. For quick development is of the
utmost importance, and he who succeeds first in placing all his
pieces, from their initial awkward positions, to such places as