The position of chess and draughts in some European countries after 1500

 

 

 In the opening position above, Black has a choice between four moves: b2-c3, d2-c3, c2-c3 and d3-c3. The games below show they are all four lost for Black.

 

Move one: b2-c3

1. b2-c3 d4xb2

2. a1xc3 a3xa1 king

3. c3xa3 a4xa2.

See diagram right: this opening is lost for Black:

 

 

 

Move two: d2-c3

1. d2 - c3 d4xd2

2. d1xd3 b4xd2

3. b2xb4 b4xb2

4. a2xc2 e4xc4.

In the position right the game

can start.

 

 

1. d2-c3 b4xd2

2. e1xc3 d4xd2

3. b2xd4 d5xb3

4. d1xd3 (first diagram right). White takes a combination:

4... e5-d5

5. man e3xe5 king a4-b4

6. a2xc4 c5x42 king

7. e5xc5 b5xd5 and see the position right.

 

Conclusion: in this opening Black must always loose a piece.

 

 

Move three: c2-c3

1. c2-c3

1. c4xc2

2. c1xc3 a3xc1 king

3. c3xa3. See the first diagram right. White can save his king:

3... c5-c4

4. a3xc5 b5-b4

5. c5xc3 c1xc5

6. man d3-c3 c5xc1

7. e3xc5 king d5xb5.

The second position right is lost for Black. Conclusion: the opening c2-c3 is not playable.

 

 

 

 

Move four: d3-c3

1. d3-c3 b3xd3

2. e3xc3 b4-b3

3. b2xb4 d5xb3.

See the first diagram right. Black ist lost. He cannot win back his lost piece by playing:

4. e2-e3, for:

4. e4xe2

5. e1xc3 d4xb2

6. a1xc3 a3xa1 king. The second position right is lost for Black, so this opening does not give a real game.