The Argosy — page 88: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Checkmate in Ten Moves. | 75 I observed to him that he had been very much in my thoughts lately : which was graciously received, with a hope that I had utilised my retirement by resolving that chess problem. Exactly so ; it was to that I alluded ; and if M. le Maire could find leisure, I should have pleasure in at least amusing him, if I failed to convince. So, after a few passing compliments and a little amicable fencing, he sat down to the board, which he ostentatiously arranged in full view of the open door. Isat with my back to the hall and a mirror before me, in which I could see, (it being well lighted with candles) almost as clearly as the Lady of Shalott. I noticed that the Curé seemed restless, and disinclined to do anything but watch our pro- ceedings, so Madame took out her work, with a happy unconscious- ness, I could not help envying: and Mariette pretended to be engrossed in threading some beads. ‘“‘I propose, M. le Maire,” I said, as I arranged my pieces, ‘‘to go through the first part of the game, as played by Labourdonnais and some other famous champion; so that you will be able to study the position, before entering on the problem.” “You still maintain that an opposition player on his guard could not prevent mate in ten moves, mademolselle ? ” “TI mean to give it a fair trial this evening; when I give you no- tice, then do your worst. I hold the white, and, being challenged, have the first move. White. Black. r°O.'§ Pj,2.94. QO.’s P. 2 sq. 2 4)1 11. 2. Sd. O. P. takes P. “Aha!” said M. le Curé, taking snuff, ‘‘we should have called that a gambit in my young days.” A short discussion followed here on the nature of gambits, and the supposed derivation of the word from the Spanish ; just long enough to make Mariette spill half her beads, and then be driven nearly desperate by the Maire’s attemps to pick them up again. Meanwhile, I refreshed my memory with my notes, and at last went on more smoothly. White. Black. 3. K. P. 1 sq. Ke Fk, 2 $4. 4. K. B. 3 sq. takes P. K. P. takes Q. P. aout. takes P. K,,Kt, 2 Sds before B. 6. Q. Kt. 2 sq. before B. sq. K. B. sq. before K. 7. K. Kt. 2 sq. before B. sq. K. castles. 8. QO. B. 2nd sq. before K. me.B. P. 1 sq. Sao me, §. It Sd. QO. Kt. 1 sq. before Q. em te. Tetreats to” 3rd ‘sq:* ‘O-" Kt to-his 3rd sq- before Q. Kt.’s sq. 11. K. castles. K. Kt. to 4th sq. before Q. Pao, Is... P..2 sq. Oia. 2 sq 13. K. Kt. to sq. before K. sq. ©. B. to 3rd sq. before K.’s sq. Seer, to Sq. before, B,’ssq. K. B. B. 2 sq. 15. OQ. to sq. before K. sq, K, B,, P. tsQ. 16. Q. B. retreats I sq. Q. to royal sq. £7. Q. R. toroyal sq. Q. B. retreats 1 sq. to before R. Ccomicooolks (SO)