HINTS FOR BEGINNERS—­ELEMENTARY COMBINATIONS

The mental development of the chess player is a gradual struggle from a state of chaos to a clear conception of the game.  The period required for such development largely depends upon the special gifts the learner may possess, but in the main the question of methods predominates.  Most beginners do not trouble very much about any particular plan in their study of chess, but as soon as they have learnt the moves, rush into the turmoil of practical play.  It is self-evident that their prospects under such conditions cannot be very bright.  The play of a beginner is planless, because he has too many plans, and the capacity for subordinating all his combinations to one leading idea is non-existent.  Yet it cannot be denied upon investigation that a certain kind of method is to be found in the play of all beginners, and seems to come to them quite naturally.  At first the pawns are pushed forward frantically, because there is no appreciation of the power and value of the pieces.  Conscious of the inferiority of the pawns, the beginner does not conclude that it must be advantageous to employ the greater power of the pieces, but is chiefly concerned with attacking the opposing pieces with his pawns in the hope of capturing them.  His aim is not to develop his own forces, but to weaken those of his opponent.  His combinations are made in the hope that his adversary may not see through them, nor does he trouble much about his opponent’s intentions.  When most of his pawns are gone, then only do his pieces get their chance.  He has a great liking for the Queen and the Knight, the former because of her tremendous mobility, the latter on account of his peculiar step, which seems particularly adapted to take the enemy by surprise.  When watching beginners you will frequently observe numberless moves by a peripatetic Queen, reckless incursions by a Knight into the enemy’s camp, and when the other pieces join in the fray, combination follows combination in bewildering sequence and fantastic chaos.  Captures of pieces are planned, mating nets are woven, perhaps with two pieces, against a King’s position, where five pieces are available for defence.  This unsteadiness in the first childish stages of development makes it very difficult for the beginner to get a general view of the board.  Yet the surprises which each move brings afford him great enjoyment.

A few dozen such games are by no means wasted.  After certain particular dispositions of pieces have proved his undoing, the beginner will develop the perception of threats.  He sees dangers one or two moves ahead, and thereby reaches the second stage in his development.