Chess Strategy | Page 2

work to such
an extent that it became to all intents and purposes a new book. I had
the privilege of co-operating with him to a slight degree on that second
edition, and was in consequence able to appreciate the tremendous
amount of work he voluntarily took upon himself to do; I say
voluntarily, because his publishers, anxious to supply the strong
demand for the book, wished to reprint it as it stood.
A little later I undertook to translate this second edition into English for
Messrs. Bell & Sons. Only a few months had elapsed, the tournaments
at Petrograd, Chester, and Mannheim had taken place, several new
discoveries had been made, and it is the greatest testimony to Edward
Lasker's indefatigable devotion to the Art of Chess that I am able to say
that this is not a translation of the second edition, but of what is
practically a new book. It contains a new preface, a chapter for
beginners, a new introduction, new variations. Furthermore, a large
number of new games have taken the place of old ones.
I have no doubt that any chess player who will take the trouble to study
CHESS STRATEGY will spend many a pleasurable hour. Incidentally
new vistas will be opened to him, and his playing strength increased to
a surprising degree.

The author says in his preface that he appeals to the intelligence and not
the memory of his readers. In my opinion, too, the student should
above all try to improve his judgment of position.
Than the playing over of games contested by experts I can hardly
imagine a greater or purer form of enjoyment. Yet I must at the outset
sound a note of warning against its being done superficially, and with a
feverish expectation of something happening. Every move or
combination of moves should be carefully weighed, and the student
should draw his own conclusions and compare them with what actually
happens in the game under examination.
This applies particularly to some of the critical positions set out in
diagrams in the course of the exposition of the several games.
The reader would derive the greatest possible benefit from a prolonged
study of such positions before seeking to know how the games proceed.
After having formed his own opinion about the merits of a particular
position, he should compare the result with the sequel in the game in
question, and thus find out where his judgment has been at fault.
The deeper study of the theory of the openings is of course a necessity
to the student who wishes to become an expert, but the development of
his judgment must precede it. To him Griffith & White's admirable
book, Modem Chess Openings, will be a perfect mine of information.
There are thousands of variations, and in most of them the actual game
in which they were first tried by masters is named, thus adding to the
interest and value of the work.
I must not omit to mention the invaluable help afforded me by my
friend Mr. John Hart, to whom my warmest thanks are due.
JULIUS DU MONT.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

THE large majority of chess players who would like to improve their
game, have not the necessary opportunity of pitting themselves against
players of master-strength, or at least of obtaining the desired
instruction from personal intercourse with them. It is for such players
that the present work is intended. The books on which the learner has to
rely hardly ever serve his purpose, being mostly little more than a
disjointed tabulation of numberless opening variations, which cannot
be understood without preliminary studies, and consequently only
make for confusion. In the end the connection between the various lines
of play may become clear, after the student has made an exhaustive
study of the subject, but very few would have either the time or the
inclination for such prolonged labour.
Therefore another shorter and less empirical way must be found in
which to acquire the understanding of sound play. My system of
teaching differs from the usual ones, in that it sets down at the outset
definite elementary principles of chess strategy by which any move can
be gauged at its true value, thus enabling the learner to form his own
judgment as to the manoeuvres under consideration. In my opinion it is
absolutely ESSENTIAL to follow such strategical principles, and I go
so far as to assert that such principles are in themselves SUFFICIENT
for the development and conduct of a correct game of chess.
Even though instruction in chess is possible on very general lines alone,
yet I think it advisable and indeed necessary to explain the application
of such principles to the various phases of each game of chess.
Otherwise the learner might unduly delay his progress,