Regular Parties.

The range of gambits is not completed, and yet we propose to enter on some regular parties. Without proceeding on the idea, that the reader will play the games as they are presented, the order of which a diversity in the degree of proficiency, and an individual pursuit of peculiar attainments, as desiderata, will occasion every one more or less to break; it will perhaps be expected, that modes of play, which by their properties seem assigned to a common class, should not be detached in their arrangement, without apology or explanation.

The various gambits agree in this, that they proceed rather on experiment than on system, and the surrender of the pawn, is a feature common to them all: but they so diverge in the field of stratagem after this step, that their course of evolutions cannot be traced to any participation of principle, nor is there any necessary connection between them.—For these reasons, and that the cultivation of regular play may not continue suspended, without an adequate cause, the Editor follows the arrangement of Philidor, in introducing some examples of attack and defence strictly systematic before the Salvio gambits. By pursuing alternately the severe walk of method, which moves to the end by a gradual process; and the devious flight of adventure, which attempts the game by a coup de main; the spirit of each may be rendered easier to seize, as the traits in which their opposition consists, are seen in contrast.