---------------------------------------
8 | #R |    |    | #Q | #K | #B |    | #R |
|---------------------------------------|
7 |    |    | #P |    |    | #P | #P | #P |
|---------------------------------------|
6 | #P |    |#Kt |    | #B |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
5 |    | #P |    | #P | ^P |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
4 |    |    |    |    |#Kt |    |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
3 |    | ^B | ^P |    |    |^Kt |    |    |
|---------------------------------------|
2 | ^P | ^P |    |    |    | ^P | ^P | ^P |
|---------------------------------------|
1 | ^R |^Kt | ^B | ^Q |    | ^R | ^K |    |
---------------------------------------
A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H

Diag. 26.

play P-Q4 as yet.  The position in the diagram therefore leads to the following variations: 

A. 9. ...  B-K2; 10.  R-K1, Castles; 11.  QKt-Q2, Kt-B4; 12.  B-B2, B-KKt5.  This manoeuvre was introduced by Em.  Lasker (Petrograd, 1909.  For further particulars see Game No. 15).

B. 9. ...  Kt-B4; 10.  QKt-Q2, P-Q5 (Capablanca-Em.  Lasker, Petrograd, 1914); or 9. ...  B-K2; 10.  R-K1, Castles; 11.  QKt-Q2, Kt-B4; 12.  B-B2, P-Q5 (Em.  Lasker-Tarrasch, Petrograd, 1914).

Capablanca believes that the early advance of P-Q5 can be refuted by Kt-K4, e.g. 9. ...  B-K2; 10.  QKt-Q2, Kt-B4; 11.  B-B2, P-Q5; 12.  Kt-K4, PxP; 13.  KtxKt, BxKt; 14.  B-K4, Q-Q2; 15.  Q-B2 or PxP.

The openings as sketched out up to this point give a sufficiently clear idea of the possibilities of combining sound development with an attempt to capture the centre after the opening moves 1.  P-K4, P-K4.  In most cases, Black’s centre pawn being open to attack by White’s P-Q4, we find an early break-up of the centre, and concurrently the opening of the Ks or Qs file for the Rooks.  That is why games opened in this fashion have been classed very generally as “open,” whilst all the other openings are called “close games.”  Lately the distinction has been abandoned, and very rightly, since in the latter openings, too, the centre can be cleared occasionally.  We attain typical close positions when Black does not play 1. ...  P-K4 in answer to 1.  P-K4, but relinquishes all claim on his K4 and takes possession of his Q4 instead, leaving White the option of interlocking the pawns in the centre with P-K5.

On principle it does not seem advisable for Black to play P-Q4 on the first move in reply to 1.  P-K4.  Although White’s centre pawn disappears after 2.  PxP, QxP, Black loses a move through 3.  Kt-QB3, and his Queen has no place from which it cannot be driven away very soon, unless it be at Q1.  This, however, would amount to an admission of the inferiority of the whole of Black’s plan.

There are two moves which deserve consideration as a preliminary to P-Q4, namely, 1. ...  P-K3 (French Defence)