THEMIDDLE LAME

IN CHESS

Eugene A..Znosko-Borovsky

Transiated by J. duMont

Dover Publicatio ns, Inc.New York

PREFACE

A third edition of Znosko-Borovsky's pioneer work,The Mjddie Game in Chess, having been sold out, thequestion of a reprint became urgent.

An artist in the true sense of the word, the author wasnot satisfied with a mere reprint of the work as it stood,successful though that has been. Instead of this line ofleast resistance, he set out to write an entirely new book,in which the experience and concentrated thought of thelast twelve years have found a happy expression. .

The really outstanding positions from the old bookhave been retained, but treated in a manner far moreconcise and easy to comprehend.

At the same time, new and profound ideas are illus-trated by positions from the very latest master practice.

True to the pioneer spirit, which is perhaps the moststriking feature of the author's character, he gives hisreaders, in Chapter I of Part II, a lucid exposition ofthose bugbears of the average player, the trans1tion stagesbetween Opening and Middle Game and between MiddleGame and End Game.

For the first time in the history of chess literature,this important subject finds adequate and authoritativetreatment.

My thanks are due to my friends F. W. Allen andD. Castello for reading the proofs.

J. DU MONT

This Dover edition, first published in 1980, is a republication of thefourth, revised edition as published by David McKay Company in1938. The main text is unabridged, but a two-page List of IllustrativePositions has been omitted.

International Standard Book Number: 0-486-23931-4Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 79-55840

Manufactured in the United States of AmericaDover Publications, Inc.

180 Varick StreetNew York, N.Y. 10014

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CONTENTS

PART 1. GENERAL REMARKS

I THE MATERIAL BASIS OF THE GAME

I The Elements: Space, Time, Force

2 The Pieces and their Management: ThePawns, The King, The Other Pieces. .

3 The Co-ordination of the Elements as the Basisof Chess .

II IDEAS IN CHESS

I Objects to follow and how to attain them2 Threats

In STRATEGYAND TACTICS

I Preliminary and Inner Analysis of a Position2 The Position as a Whole. . .

3 Construction and Execution of the Plan.

+ Tactical Po~ibilities

PART II. THE MIDDLE GAME

I THE STAGESOF THE MIDDLE GAME

I Between the Opening and the Middle Game2 Between Middle Game and End Game.

II SUPERIORITYIN POSITION

I Superiority in the Various Elements

2. Various Means of Exploiting an Advantage

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