[Footnote:  As an example of the difficult play which ensues when Black defends the pawn in the King’s Gambit, I give the latest variation of an attack introduced by Professor I. L. Rice, and called the “Rice Gambit”: 

1.  P-K4, P-K4; 2.  P-KB4, PxP; 3.  Kt-KB3, P-KKt4; 4.  P-KR4, P-Kt5; 5.  Kt-K5, Kt-KB3; 6.  B-B4, P-Q4; 7.  PxP, B-Q3; 8.  Castles!  BxKt; 9.  R-K1, Q-K2; 10.  P-B3, Kt-R4; 11.  P-Q4, Kt-Q2; 12.  PxB, KtxP; 13.  P-QKt3, Castles; 14.  B-R3, Kt-B6ch!; 15.  PxKt, QxP; 16.  R-K5!  B-B4!!; 17.  Kt-Q2!  Q-Kt6ch; 18.  K-B1, Q-R7; 19.  BxR, P-Kt6; 20.  B-B5, P-Kt7ch; 21.  K-K1, Q-R5ch; 22.  K-K2, Kt-Kt6ch; 23.  K-B2, Kt-K5ch; 24.  KxP, B-R6ch; 25.  K-R1, K-R1; 26.  KtxKt, R-KKt1; 27.  R-Kt5, with interesting possibilities.

Numberless interesting variations are possible, but their discussion does not lie within the scope of this work.  They will be found in books treating of the analysis of the openings.]

It is therefore unwise for the beginner to accept the gambit, unless there be a chance of compensation for the disappearance of his centre pawn, by forcing the exchange of White’s centre pawn as well.  The following line of play would fulfil this condition: 

1.  P-K4, P-K4; 2.  P-KB4, PxP; 3.  Kt-KB3, Kt-KB3; 4.  Kt-B3, P-Q4!  Black thereby abandons the gambit pawn.

On principle, and when he has the choice, the beginner should give preference to simple and clear development in the opening, rather than to the gain of a pawn, when this involves difficult and intricate play.  This principle must also guide us in other openings.

A good example is to be found in the so-called “Danish gambit,” [Footnote:  The names of the various openings, which I mention for the sake of completeness, are generally derived from towns or countries in which they were first extensively played and analysed.] which will lead us back to those openings in which White plays P-Q4 on his second move.  After 2.  P-Q4, PxP, White has the option of sacrificing two pawns to obtain a very rapid development 3.  P-QB3, PxP; 4.  B-QB4, PxP; 5.  QBxP.  It may now be just possible for Black to avoid the many threats which White can bring to bear with his beautifully placed forces, perhaps by giving back one or both of the pawns gained.  But this question can only be of interest to us if there is no opportunity of adopting a simple line of development at the outset.  As it is, this opportunity is not wanting.  All that Black needs to do is to push on his Queen’s Pawn as soon as possible, thus freeing his own Queen’s Bishop.

2.  P-Q4           PxP
3.  P-QB3          P-Q4

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8 | #R | #Kt| #B | #Q | #K | #B |#Kt | #R |
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7 | #P | #P | #P |    |    | #P | #P | #P |
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6 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
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5 |    |    |    | #P |    |    |    |    |