The foregoing variations show conclusively that the position of Diagram 47 is lost for Black.  The attack which White obtains after creating a weakness on f6 by the removal of the Pawn g7 cannot be effectively countered.  The question arises, whether Black was at fault when disregarding White’s threat to place his Knight on d5 and developing his Queen’s Bishop or whether he had a chance to improve on one of the two following moves which led to the position of Diagram 47.  Indeed, it lies near to try the same attack which White threatens to initiate by Q-d2 one move earlier by playing Q-d7 instead of B-c5.  The fact, however, that this Bishop is not cooperating with the pieces on the King’s wing makes a big difference and the most Black can obtain is apparently a draw.  The continuation could be:  (1) Ktxf6+, Pxf6; (2) Bxf6, P-h6; (3) P-c3, Ktxf3+, (4) Pxf3, B-h5; (5) K-h1, K-h7; (6) R-g1, R-g8; (7) R-g3.  If Black’s Bishop were on c5 instead of b4, White could not play R-g3 on account of Bxf2.  He would have to make the preparatory move Q-e2 and he would be lost after R-g6, just in the same manner which was demonstrated in one of the above variations with attack and defense reversed.  As it is Black cannot enter on h3 with his Queen without exchanging Rooks and so he is unable to take advantage of the weakness on f3.  After (7) ..., R-g6, (8) B-h4, B-a5 or c5, (9) P-d4 and Q-d3 the game probably ends in a draw as it is unlikely that White can realize an advantage from the doubled Pawn which he is ahead.

To the beginner the lines of play discussed in connection with Diagrams 47 and 48 will have appeared rather complicated.  This they are, indeed, even for the experienced player; but it is by no means necessary to memorize any of the variations.  The important thing to realize is the fact that in a position where both players have castled on the King’s side, a dangerous weakness is created if the g-Pawn is forced to move, and if pressure can be brought to bear upon the two squares which through the move of the g-Pawn have lost their protection; moreover, that a method to create such a weakness is the pinning of the hostile King’s Knight and the advance of the Queen’s Knight in the center.

Another important point that the variations discussed will bring out to the observant reader is the order in which the different pieces take their turn in the battle.  First come the minor pieces, then the Queen and then the Rooks.  This, of course, is not a rule that has to be adhered to under all circumstances, but in most games it is a good rule to follow.  The reason is obvious.  The Rooks have no opportunity of making themselves useful until a file has been opened, while the Queen often finds an occasion to enter the battlefield on a diagonal.  Only in such games can the Rooks be made to work at a comparatively early stage of the game, in which the players have not castled on the same sides of the board.  For then the advance of the Pawns in front of the Rooks does not create weakness which endangers their own King.