vourite. Thus 24-19, which analysis proved to be the weakest
of the seven, was at one period described by the title of "Wyllie's
Invincible." In course of time it came to be regarded as decidedly
weak, and its name was altered to the less pretentious title of
"Second Double Corner." In the Scottish Tournament of 1894 this
opening was played between Ferrie and Stewart, and the latter won the
game with white, introducing new play which has stood the test of
analysis, and so rehabilitating the opening in public favour. The
21-17 reply to 11-15 was introduced by Wyllie, who was so successful
with it that it became known as the "Switcher." This opening perhaps
lacks the solid strength of some of the others, but it so abounds in
traps as to be well worthy of its name. The other five replies to
11-15, namely 24-20, 23-19, 23-18, 22-18 and 22-17, are productive of
games which give equal chances to both sides.

The favourite replies to 10-15 are 23-18, 22-18 and 21-17, but they do
not appear to be appreciably stronger than the others, with the
possible exception of 24-20.

In response to 11-16, 23-18 is held to give white a trifling
advantage, but it is more apparent than real. With the exception of
23-19, which is weak, the other replies are of equal strength, and are
only slightly, if at all, inferior to the more popular 23-18. 9-14 is
most frequently encountered by 22-18, but all white's replies are
good, except of course 21-17 which loses a man, and 23-18 which
weakens the centre of white's position.

Against 10-14 the most popular move is 22-17, which gives white an
advantage. Next in strength come 22-18 and 24-19. 23-18 is weak.

The strongest reply to 12-16 is 24-20. The others, except 23-19, which
is weak, give no initial advantage to either side.

As already mentioned, 9-13 is black's weakest opening move, both 22-18
and 24-19 giving white a distinct advantage. Nevertheless 9-13 is a
favourite debut with certain expert players, especially when playing
with inferior opponents.

The term "opening" is frequently applied in a more restricted sense
than that used above. When practically all games started with 11-15 it
was convenient to assign names to the more popular lines of play. Thus
11-15, 23-19, 8-11, 22-17, if followed by 11-16, was called the
"Glasgow"; if followed by 9-13, 17-14, the "Laird and Lady"; if by
3-8, the "Alma."

The vari