The famous game of Chess-play, Truly discovered, and all doubts resolved; So that by reading this small Book thou shalt profit more than by the playing a thousand Mates. An Exercise full of delight; fit for Princes, or any person of what quality soever.  
Newly published by A. S. Gent.  
If on your man you fight  
The first draft shall you play,  
If not 'tis mine by right  
At first to lead the way  
Printed at London for Roger jackson, and are to be sold at his shop near Fleetstreet-Conduit. 1614   

TO THE RIGHT Honourable and Virtuous Lady, the Lady LVCY, Countess of Bedford, and one of the Ladies of her majesties Privie-chamber, A. S. wisheth all gifts of Honour, with eternal happiness.  
RIGHT Honourable and virtuous Lady, having received many courtesies from your Honourable Father, late deceased; whose miss hath caused many to mourn for the loss of so Honourable and worthy a friend, and from your Honourable and worthy self, who in duty I do ever reverence, I have in desire of showing thankfulness made bold to present to your Honour this small Book, having no other gift to tender you; and knowing you ever to be a favourer of all Virtue: Therefore may it please you to accept this Work, being a Princely exercise, whose grace will be a chief ornament to the subject I treat of: It is the discovery of all the secrets of Chess-play, which of all other games is the worthiest that ever was devised, and hath been practised now 2227. years. This therefore being so excellent a game, and so much esteemed of by the Nobility and Gentry of this our Kingdom, as also in all other Countries in Christendom. This considered, I have therefore emboldened myself to refer the perusing hereof to your Honour, and myself to your good opinion, which I tender as that I esteem most dear: ever remaining in all duty at  
Your Honour's command Arthur Saul.   

To the courteous Reader.  
THere have been divers which have written of the game of Chess-play, who have neglected to write the particulars of the Game, but have spoken some thing which is as much as nothing, for the instruction of the Reader: therefore do I imagine they wrote all they knew, or otherwise, not so much as they might; wherefore Courteous Reader, if it shall please thee to read this small Book, which to do will soon be performed, thou shalt find in it more than yet hath been written by any other; in very brief manner. In this book shalt thou learn first; the manner how to place the men; next their quality or worth; after that to know how they ought to be played: then followeth that you understand the Laws of the game rightly: and after I have showed thee some reasons that there can be no rule for this game (as some hold opinion) then shalt thou find many pleasing plays to give thee delight and encouragement to proceed in exercising this game. Also thou shalt learn directly what a dark Mate is; and likewise what a Stolen is, and how it falleth out that it is given; and lastly, how to give a Mate all the men being in the field at two draughts without a guard, so that the King checked shall have no cover nor means to relieve himself, but of force it shall be mate.  
Vale. A. S.   

To the World.  
Go forth my little Book,  
Thou art no longer mine;  
Each man may on thee look,  
The shame or praise is thine.  
But seek thou for no praise,  
No thanks, nor yet reward;  
Yet all men for to please  
Have thou a chief regard.  
The labour hath been mine,  
The travail and the pain;  
Reproaches shall be thine.  
To bear thou must be feign.  
For as to pleasure many  
'Twas that I wished ever;  
Right so to displease any  
I purpose to do never.  
But if thou please the best  
And such as be of skill,  
I pass not for the rest,  
Good men accept goodwill.  
Hadst thou remained with me  
Thou shouldst have had no blame;  
Since thou abroad wouldst be,  
Go forth and seek thy fame.  
Arthur Saul.   

To the Reader.  
THe order of the men in verse,  
here also shalt thou find  
Thy knowledge better to increase,  
and satisfy thy mind.  
First, for the Pawns here understand  
their march is right forth still,  
And who so doth before them stand,  
they have no power to kill.  
But as they march who so they find  
do in their colour stand,  
Such may they kill or check a slope,  
to the right or left hand.  
Not any in the rear of them,  
they can once check or spoil  
Forth must they march and not retreat,  
but keep their rank or file.  
Till by command they pointed are,  
their King for to relieve;  
Then must they boldly unto war,  
his foes to vex and grieve.  
And coming at the last in place,  
where Knights and Lords did dwell,  
Their King shall give to them like grace,  
because they served him well.  
Thus being Bishops, Knights, or Dukes,  
their Kings they'll better steed  
The Kings may make of them a Queen,  
if they have any need.  
Yet ere they can such honour have,  
all storms they must a bide,  
And do their best the Kings to save,  
what danger ere betide.  
The Bishops that attend the Kings  
a slope do use to fight,  
The one in black doth help the King,  
the other in the white.  
Their check in field extends as far  
as any of the rest,  
What colours they are placed in,  
there must they do their best.  
The Bishop black in black must march  
and therein use his skill,  
For in the white he may not come,  
no man to hurt or kill.  
The Bishop white in white must serve,  
so long as he doth live,  
To any which in black doth stand,  
he cannot one check give.  
The Duke in value is half a Queen  
and half her draughts hath he,  
Right forth and back and from each side,  
he can give check for thee.  
Through all the colours of the field  
in such wise may he check,  
And also when occasion serves  
relieve the King with neck.  
Like to a horseman doth the Knight  
assist the King always,  
And over rank or file he leaps,  
his honour for to raise.  
When he gives check unto the King,  
and is not for it slain,  
The King must move out of his place,  
elsewhere for to remain.  
The Knights being forth, and coming in  
such houses as are white  
May help or harm eight ways them fro,  
during the time they fight.  
Like all the men within the field,  
the Queen may aid the King,  
Yet like a Knight no aid at all,  
she can unto him bring.  
Through all the houses of the field  
the Queen may take her pleasure,  
And use her power to help her King  
still in a modest measure.  
If in the march she prove severe,  
and taketh all she may,  
'Tis for the safeguard of the King,  
that she makes clear the way.  
For this she may not blamed be,  
that seeks her King to save,  
It is her glory for to strive,  
her King in peace to have.  
The King in Majesty doth march,  
one step at once he goes,  
Further no time can he go forth,  
for fear of foreign foes.  
If the black King shall bring a man  
unto the white King's side,  
And then and there give him one guard,  
he may there still abide.  
Without which help if he presume,  
so near the King to stand,  
If need require such one the King  
may kill with his own hand.  
None of the Kings can take a man,  
that standeth on a guard,  
'Twere check at once if he do so,  
therefore he must be spared.  
Thus may you learn the Kings no time  
can into a check go,  
In places where no peril is  
they may march too and fro.  
Know you that this shall read or see,  
I wish nought for my pain  
If it thee please I have content,  
I seek no other gain.  
Arthur Saul.   

The contents of this Book.  

OF the antiquity, profit, and pleasure of the game, and what it representeth. Cap. I  
How to set the men. Cap. Cap. TWO  
Controversies resolved. Cap. III  
To understand how the men guard each other. Cap. IIII  
For passing the guard of a Pawn that is advanced into the fift house. Cap. V  
The difference, or the advantage by playing the first draft. Cap. VI  
What difference there is in the great men and their true worth. Cap. VII  
The true value of the Pawns. Cap. VIII  
The denial of rule-play. Cap. IX  
advices for the assailant or defendant. Cap. X  
How you may give a Mate at two draughts, all the men being in the field. Cap. XI  
What benefit may begotten by exchanging man for man. Cap. XII  
The satisfaction of controversies by tediousness of play. Cap. XIII  
How a dark Mate, which some call a blind-Mate, is given. Cap. XIIII  
What a stolen is, and how that is given. Cap. XV  
For retreating. Cap. XVI  
When advantage is gotten how to make use of it. Cap. XVII  
A play which one author is of opinion not to be prevented, which I deny. Cap. XVIII  
The first way to defend that hard play before mentioned. Cap. XIX  
The second way to prevent the former play. Cap. XX  
A third way to hinder the same play at two draughts. Cap. XXI  
For the checking of the King without guard. Cap. XXII   
FINIS.   

THE FAMOUS GAME OF Chess-play.  

CHAPTER I. Of the Antiquity, Profit and Pleasure of the Game, and what it representeth.  
FOr the Antiquity of this game, I find upon Record that it was devised 614. years before the Nativity of Christ, so that it is now 2227. years since it hath been first practised; and it is thought that Xerxes, who was a King, devised this game. Secondly, there be some of opinion that it was made by learned and wise men, as may appear by the wonderful invention of of the game, for it requireth the whole mind of man, during the time he practiseth the same, otherwise he shall not discern the purpose of his adversary, until it be too late. Thirdly, whosoever he be that is desirous to learn this game of Chess-play, he ought to be of good apprehension, and a great memory, without the which he shall never play well. Fourthly, if those which play be of equal judgement, the standers by shall take great delight and pleasure in beholding them, if they have knowledge in the game, when they shall see one Kings forces encounter with the other, sometime the black King assaulting the white King, who valiantly defendeth the assault, and peradventure putteth him to the worst upon the least neglect that may be. O that this game were rightly esteemed of, according to his worth: It is many years since I could play this game, and as yet I never knew any fall out at the same: for a man cannot be offended with him who he playeth withal, but rather blame himself for not governing his own men better.  
Fiftly, it is apparent what quarrels and sudden stabbings happen at other games, with cheating and cozening one another, from all which enormities this is free, having the glory above all other games, for a peaceable and a Princely exercise. Sixtly, it is to be understood that this game representeth two Armies encountering each other: so that when the black King shall assault the white, the white King may presently draw forth many of his men to make good the place assaulted. And for as much as the number of chesse-men are but few, you will say when an assault is made at any time there cannot many men be drawn forth to make good the place assaulted: for by bringing too much aid to one place, you shall weaken another, so that thereby you may hazard all: to which I answer, that albeit the number of the men is small, yet by the playing forth of one man you shall hinder the assault of two or three; as for example.  
Imagine that the black King for his first draft playeth his own Pawn into the third house in his own file, and that the white King entertaineth another purpose, not coming into the field in such manner as the black King doth, but playeth his Queen's Dukes pawn into the third house in his own file, than the black King for his second draft brings forth his Queen, and placeth her in the third house, in the front of his Bishop's pawn, intending at his fourth draft to give mate to the white King, all which the white King seethe, & yet for his second draft playeth carelessly somewhere else, and doth not seem to take knowledge what the black King intendeth to do: the black King for more assurance of prevailing bringeth forth his own Bishop into the fourth house, before his Queen's bishop; all which is as much as nothing: for that the white King by playing his own pawn into the third house in his own file, the black King by such play shall fail of his purpose: but if the white King shall forget to hinder the black King's assault at his third draft, than the black King shall give mate at his fourth draft to the white King by taking the white King's bishops pawn with his Queen, who shall be guarded with his own Bishop, so that it is a scholars mate, but there is no man of judgement in Chess-play will take such a mate; it may be called also a treacherous mate; for otherwise it were unpossible a King should be delivered into the hands of his enemies, without the loss of some men, unless the white King's power would make sleep a defence for treason, and so suffer their King to be taken before they would take any knowledge thereof.  
If on your man you fight,  
The first draft shall you play,  
If not 'tis mine by right,  
At first to lead the way.   

CHAP. II. How to place the men.  
THe board standing here as thou seest thou shalt place the black King in the fourth house being white, and the white King you shall place in a black house being the fourth house on the other side, just opposite against the black King; then place the white Queen next her King in a white house, which is the fourth house on that side of the field; Likewise you shall place the black Queen in a black house next to her king, which shall also be the fourth house on the black King's side.  
Thus when you have placed the Queen's next to their Kings, then shall you place on the other side of the Kings, first a Bishop, than a Knight, and next to the Knight you shall place a Duke, whose place is in the first house of the field: the Queens have either of them likewise one Bishop, one Knight, and one Duke; the Kings have either of them four Pawns, and three Noblemen, and the Queens have the like, the King's Pawns are these: first, their own Pawns, next their Bishop's Pawns, than their Knight's Pawns, and last of all their Duke's Pawns: the Queens they have also three Noblemen and four Pawns, which are these: first, their own Pawns, than their Bishop's Pawns, next their Knight's Pawns, and last of all their Duke's Pawns. The Pawns stand before the Noblemen from one corner of the field to the other, the Pawns have all one manner of proceeding, which shall be showed unto thee, when we come to speak of the advancing of the men and of the difference that is between them.   

CHAP. III. A Controversy resolved.  
ANd for as much as many times in play some men will be fingering and taking up of his adversaries men, and then out of the abundance of his wit, thinketh to play better in some other place, and so setteth down his adversaries man again, this is very fowl play, for albeit it is true he cannot play his adversaries man, so also it is true he may not take him off his place, unless he throw him out of the field, and install his own man in the same house where the other stood, for by the taking up of a man in such a fashion and not to play it, some a judge the player for his punishment, to kiss the foot of the man which he so taketh up, but indeed of right he ought to lose half his stake that at any time useth such play, and if a man touch a man of his own, and will not play him, than he ought directly to lose the game, and it is known unto all men that can play, that if you touch any of your own men you must play him, and look what colour you touch with your man so taken up, in the same colour or house shall he stand; and if at any time the player which so playeth refueth so to do, the other may lawfully take up his own stake and play no further of that game.  

A chief lesson to be observed in this play.  
And for as much as some in the time their adversary is framing his purpose where to play, they will be talking, or singing, or using some apish tricks to trouble the mind of him whom they play against, this is held also very fowl play, and ought not to be used at this game, upon pain of losing the third part of his stake, that useth it, for it is a game in which silence is to be used, and all devices whatsoever laid a side, that may trouble one another in the time of their play: this being observed thou art freed from the penalty before mentioned.   

A Caveate for such as will condition to give a Mate.  
Imagine that two were a playing, and that many men on both sides were lost and no odes in the men of either side, so that the game were indifferent, that then I say, one of the gamesters should give over the game and draw his stake, the other at this seeming to be a grieved, thinking his men standeth better than the others which hath given over, he saith, had you played out the game I should have won it, & the other replying, demandeth what he will lay more one the game, the party aggrieved upon this offereth a crown more, that he will win the Mate, now here is a condition, which if he perform not he looseth both his first and last stake: The way for him that taketh any man upon such condition, is still to change, and to bring it unto a dead game, and so shall he this way win the stakes, by reason the other had tied himself by obligation to give the Mate, wherefore let any one take heed how he entereth into such condition; for who so doth it giveth the other advantage, whether it be at the beginning of the mate, or after, it is all one.  
   

CHAP. FOUR How the men guard each other.  
THe Kings have either of them seven men a piece, and the Queens as many to attend them: The King, whether he be black or white, giveth guard to five persons before he goeth forth, and being once advanced forward into the field, although it be but into the second house, he then, and still after, in all his march giveth guard to eight houses, till he come to one side or other of the field again. Now those five whom he guardeth before he goeth forth are these: first of all he guardeth his Queen, on whom his greatest care dependeth: secondly his own Bishop: thirdly his own Pawn: four his Queen's Pawn; and lastly his Bishop's Pawn. The Queen protecteth her King, her Bishop, her own Pawn, her King's Pawn, and her Bishop's Pawn: by this you see the Queen guardeth as many as the King, before she goeth forth, and after till the field be won or lost: the King's Duke giveth guard to his own Pawn, and the King's Knight, and to no more, till he be from the side of the field, and then he giveth guard to four houses, and in like sort is the power of the Queen's Duke: the King's Bishop giveth guard to the King's Pawn, and the King's Knights Pawn: the Queen's Bishop giveth guard to the Queen's Pawn, and the Queen's knights Pawn, the Knights giveth guard but to three houses before they go forth, and after they are from the side of the field, they give guard to as many houses as the King or the Queen doth. Now those houses whom the Knights guard ere they go forth, are these, the King's Knight giveth guard to the King's Pawn, and to the third house in the front of the King's Bishops Pawn, and to the third house in the front of the King's Duke's Pawn: the Queen's Knight giveth guard to her own Pawn, and to the third house in the front of her Bishop's Pawn, as also to the third house in the front of her own Duke: The Bishops of either side are tied to one only colour, out of the which they may not go, the white Bishops have the command of the white field, and the black Bishops the command of the black field, and they march sloping forward or backward if way be made for them, and can endanger or give check from one corner of the field to the other: The Pawns who stand in rank before the King and the Nobility, I shall show you their manner of guard which they give before they be advanced or moved off their places: The King's Pawn giveth guard to the third house before the Queen, and the third house before the King's Bishop: the Queen's Pawn giveth guard to the third house before the King, & the third house before her own Bishop, the King's Bishops Pawn giveth guard to the third house before the King, and the third house before the King's Knight: the Queen's Bishops Pawn giveth guard to the third house before the Queen, and the third house before the Queen's Knight, the King's Knights Pawn giveth guard to the third house before the King's Bishop, and to the third house before the King's Duke: the Queen's Knights Pawn giveth guard to the third house before the Queen's Bishop, and to the third house before the Queen's Duke: the King's Duke's Pawns, and the Queen's Duke's Pawns giveth but one guard a piece, and that is to the third houses before the Knights, by reason they stand on the side of the field: Thus have I showed you from the King to the Pawn, how the men guard each other before there be any of them stirred off their places.   

CHAP. V For passing the guard of a Pawn.  
FOr as much as many times there is question made, whether a Pawn of the white Kings, may pass the guard of the black Kings, at his first going forth, if the black King have advanced a Pawn into the fift house, without leave of the black King: whereunto I answer no, for this is a rule strictly observed in martial discipline, from whence this game had his first beginning, that no man shall be permitted to pass by any guard without leave first obtained, yet at this game the Pawns may pass the guard one of another, this house, or houses, only excepted: for if a Pawn be advanced into the fift house by the black King, and that the white Kings Pawn might pass without leave, it would many times be the over-throwing of the black King's game: and further it is held fowl play, to play forth your Pawn by the guard of another Pawn so advanced, without craving leave: so than if the King, who hath advanced a Pawn into the fift house, will suffer you to pass you may, because there is power in him to deny you such a favour, as well as to grant you the privilege of such a liberty: and thus much for the reader's satisfaction, that you may not pass the guard of a Pawn that is advanced into the fift house without leave. Some there be also that are persuaded if the King be once checked, he shall lose the benefit of relieving himself in any of the Duke's quarters, what extremity soever he be driven unto, albeit the King checked doth cover the check given him: such as are of this opinion are in the wrong, for so long as the checked King can cover the check given him, and not remove to avoid the check, nor hath not moved before upon no occasion he hath still the benefit of exchanging with any of his Dukes, but if he be once removed from his place, whither it be for the relieving of one of his men, or upon compulsion for the avoiding of a check, he shall then after such time lose the benefit of exchanging with the Duke.   

CHAP. VI Whether it be advantage to have the first draft, yea or no.  
FOr satisfying the reader in this point, it is certain there is advantage by playing first, 
The difference by playing first.  for who so hath the first draft, if he can play well, shall make the other still defendant, and will visit him with such attempts and assaults, wherein if the King defendant fail in the least point to answer, he shall assuredly lose the field; but between such as know not the game rightly, it is no matter which of them playeth first, by reason they know not when they have vantage one of another, and if it fall out that the one of them should have such clear eyes, as to discern he hath the better of the game, and cannot make use of his advantage, between such young scholars it skilleth not who playeth first.   

CHAP. VII. What difference there is in the great men, and of their true worth.  
MAny there are who can play a little at this game, 
The value of the men  that persuade themselves if they can take one great man for another they shall do well enough, but it is not so, for there is a great deal of difference in the men, and first of all for the King, who albeit he is King, and that his command is to be obeyed of his subjects, yet it is in all the Counsel of war held unfit for the King to hazard his person at any time, and therefore he doth ordain a General under him, to have the command of the army, which general shall have under him Colonels, Captains, and other inferior officers for his assistance, for the better governing of the army: Even so at this game there is a general, which is the Queen, for she doth more service than any too Dukes can, and if it happen at any time that she should be lost, the King, whose Queen is taken, must forsake the field of force, unless the adverse King, be a very silly King, and cannot make use of such advantage. And yet to make the Reader to understand this better, know this, if the white King should in the taking the black King's Queen lose two of his Noblemen, as his two Dukes, or his two Bishops, or his two Knights, yet the white King shall have the better, for his loss is not so great as the black Kings, who hath lost his Queen. Some that writ of Chess-play calleth the Queen the Amazon, because the Amazonites go to war as familiarly as the men. Next to the Queen for value is a Duke, for by how much a Queen is more in worth than a Duke, by so much a Duke is more in value then a Bishop or a Knight, for a Duke is worth two Bishops or two Knights, by reason he can give a Mate himself with the help of the King, which a Bishop or a Knight cannot do. Now you say two Bishops can give a Mate with the help of the King, it is true, but the Duke will do it sooner: also a Mate is to be given with a Bishop and a Knight, and this is also true, but he must play well that can give a Mate with them, yet you see every Scholar at Chess-play can give a Mate with a King and a Duke Besides a Duke's check goeth from one side of the field to the other throughout all the colours, and a Bishop's check serveth but for one colour in the field, therefore you must have both the Bishops to do the service which one Duke can discharge: and therefore I conclude, that a Duke is better than two Bishops, and for the Bishops they are better than the Knights, by reason they can give a Mate with the King, when no other men are left to help them, which the Knights cannot do, and therefore they are counted better than the Knights; but I had rather lose a Bishop at any time than a Knight, for his check is more dangerous than a Bishops: the Bishop is tied to one colour in the field, out of the which he may not pass, the Knight passeth into all the houses in the field: the Bishop's check may be covered, the Knight's check cannot: there is cover for all the checks in the field that may be given, from the Queen to the Pawn, the Knights only excepted, for whose check there is no cover: and if it fall out at any time that a Knight giveth check, and the King that is checked cannot take the Knight without great loss, he must needs fly of force, there is no covering for his check, as I have said before. I could say more in the behalf of the Knights; as thus, when the one King hath no other men left but his Bishops, and the other King no help but his Knights, the King that hath the Knights, may happily in checking the King that hath the Bishops, take one of the Bishops, and so after by another check take the other, by reason the Bishops cannot guard one another, which the Knights can do, and at the beginning of the game, I had rather lose my Bishops for my adversaries Knights, then that I should exchange my Knights for the gaining my adversaries Bishops: and thus much shall serve for the explaining of the difference of the great men.   

CHAP. VIII. The worth of the Pawns.  
ANd for the Pawns, there is not so much to be said of them, as there hath been of the Noblemen, by reason there is not so much variety in their draughts, as there is in the great men: The King's Bishops Pawn is the best Pawn in the field, and therefore there ought more care to be had over him, than any other Pawn in the field; for if it should happen that the black King should lose his Bishop's Pawn, for the gaining of the white King's Pawn: yet the black King's loss were the greater, for that he after such loss can never be able to make a rank of Pawns, with three in a rank, no more on that side of the field, for his own safety which is a great disadvantage, wherefore it were better for any of the Kings to lose his own Pawn, then to lose his Bishop's Pawn. But you will say, if any of the Kings should lose his Bishop's Pawn, can he not relieve himself on the other side of the field, by turning over into his Queen's Duke's quarter, where he shall have Pawns enough to succour him: I answer he may do so, but he will be longer ere he bring his purpose to effect, because he hath more men between his Queen's Duke and him, than there is between him and his own Duke by one draft, in the playing of which draft, ere he can bring his King into safety, he shall be sure to lose the game, if he play with one that can make use of any idle draft: thus much shall suffice for the worth of the King's Bishops Pawn, the King's Pawn is next unto him in worth, than the Queen's Pawn after the Knights Pawn, and last of all the Duke's Pawns, for they give guard but to one house in the field: and thus I end with the Pawns for their value and worth.  

The diversity of Mates, and which are worthy of praise, or disspraise.  
THe Mate with a Queen, a loving mate.  
A Mate with the Bishop, a gentle mate.  
The Mate given with a Duke, a gracious mate.  
A Mate with the Knight, an honourable mate.  
The Mate given with a Pawn, a disgraceful mate.  
A Mate by discovery, the worthiest of all.  
The Mate given in a corner of the field, was Alexander's mate.  
A Mate in the Midea of the field, an unfortunate fortunate Mate.  
The Mate given on the side of the field, a foolish Mate.  
A blind Mate, a shameful mate.  
The Stolen, a dishonourable mate.    

CHAP. IX. That there is no Rule for this game.  
FOR as much as some are persuaded there is a Rule for this game, I thought good to give the Reader, as I may, some satisfaction to the contrary. If there were a Rule for this game every Woodcock would be a Chesse-player; but indeed there is none: if there were a Rule for it, than there should be but one manner of beginning, and one manner of ending, which cannot be; for he that can play knoweth, sometime the game is begun with some of the Pawns, another time with any of the Knights: again, one while marching forth with some of the Pawns, and some of the Noblemen; at another time giving an assault only with Noblemen. Also if there were a Rule for the game how cometh it to pass that a Mate is to be given with any of the men in the field upon guard, and some of the men will give a Mate without a guard? and that is when the distressed King is driven to the side of the field, or a corner of the field, the pursuing King lodging in the third house opposite against him: then the Queen assailant, or one of the Duke's assailant, giveth the Mate to the distressed King, by falling into any of the houses, in the same rank where the distressed King standeth; but upon guard any of the Pawns, or of the Bishops, or any of the Knights can also give a Mate: further, it is certain, that a Mate may be given in any house in the field: now there are 64. houses, than you will say there must be as many rules, to bring to pass that the King may be Mated in any of these houses, and when you have proved that, than you must bring forth so many several rules as there are men in the field: for that they all can upon guard give a Mate, after all this I will demand for rules how to give a Mate upon discovery, and then you must find as many more rules for that, by reason every man can discover whereby a Mate may be given. Thus mayest thou see courteous reader that I have showed thee, if there be a rule, there must be more than one, or a hundredth: and from the first time I knew this game to this present day, I never could meet with any man, that could show me one rule for this game, for indeed it is according to the purposes of them that play, and not by any rule: also I do persuade myself, if any man would play with me, and observe a rule in his play, and not regard my coming forth against him, I shall assuredly give him a Mate, do what he can.   

CHAP. X. advices for the assailant and defendant.  
NOw for the Reader that is desirous to practise this game, he must observe one thing diligently, which is, if he chance to have the first draft, and find himself able to assault, let him follow it well; if better able to defend, then give the other leave to assault; in both there is great policy to be used: and first for him that assaulteth. He that assaulteth aught to hold his passages free, for him to retreat as occasion shall serve; lest his negligence herein procure his overthrow when he shall be constrained to retreat. The defendant, if he be excellent in the game, will not only answer the assault sufficiently, but he will also devise plots to grieve the assailant when he shall take occasion to retreat. A pawn is soon entrapped, because he cannot go back to relieve himself: the Bishops and the Dukes are more harder to be entrapped, because they can fly from one side of the field to the other, if they fear any evil; but the Knights, and the Queen is the hardest of all to be betrayed, by reason they have so many places for to relieve themselves in, and specially the Queen.   

CHAP. XI. How you shall give a Mate at two draughts all the men being in the field.  
FIrst, take the Board, and all the men, and when you have placed them right, then let the black King, for his first draft, advance his Bishop's Pawn into the third house, before his own Bishop; then cause the white King for his first draft to play his own Pawn into the third house before himself: then the black King for his second draft shall play his Knights Pawn into the fourth house, before his own Knight, and then the white King for his second draft shall play his Queen into the fift house, before his own Duke, where she shall give check and mate to the black King. Here you may see a Mate may be given at two draughts; but seldom or never shall you see a good player receive such a Mate.   

CHAP. XII. By exchanging Man for Man, what benefit he shall reap that useth it.  
WHen you shall play with any one that playeth better with his Queen then he can with his other men, with such an one change Queen for Queen; for there are many after they have lost their Queen do not know how to play, by reason they understand not the right use of the men: Other some will also in like manner play better with their Knights; with such also use exchange, and for the other men do the like. You see for example, some men can play very well with Rapier and Poniard, that cannot use any other weapon; whereas he is esteemed for a Master that is skilful at all manner of weapons: so at this game, he that hath the right use of all his men, with such a one you shall profit nothing by exchanging man for man, yet who so useth such play is not to be blamed, for there is much advantage to be gotten by such play, if you consider rightly of it: this much shall suffice for the exchanging of men upon even terms, the men being both of one quality and power.   

CHAP. XIII. For satisfaction of controversies by tediousness of play.  
THere are some of opinion, that a Mate may be given at fifty draughts, and if so be it be not given you at fifty draughts, you may take up your stakes and beg on: to such I answer, it is true, a Mate may be so soon won and at fewer draughts also, but put the case that any King being in a City or Town, should be by some foreign King besieged, and that after some ten, twenty, forty, or fift days were expired, the King within the City, should say to the foreign King, for as much SIR King, as you have continued now your sige fifty days, and cannot make me yield, nor take me your prisoner, therefore you must departed: no, this ought not to be embraced, for if he cannot win it in fifty days, he will prove fifty weeks, or fifty months, but he will have it: so also is this game of Chess, if the one King cannot Mate the other at fifty draughts, he may prove a hundredth more, for he is not to be tied to any certain number of draughts: for I have known some have been a playing one game a whole day, and sometime again I have seen five, or six, played in one hour, but be it many draughts or few, if you give the Mate you shall be sure to win.   

CHAP. XIIII. How a dark Mate, which some call a blind-Mate, may be given.  
A Dark Mate, or a blind-Mate is all one, for if a Mate be given, and he which giveth it seethe it not, you may say it was dark, he wanted light, or he was blind, otherwise he would have seen it. When two playeth earnestly, and that one of them followeth the check upon the other, and if it fall out that one of the checks be also a Mate, and he that giveth it seethe it not, as I have said before, then is such a Mate called a blind-Mate: and for as much as there are some which stand upon this, that a blind-Mate should be a lost game, know this, it may not be so; for if a man hath a horse that falleth blind, the owner thereof shall have his former right in him, which he had before he was blind, and shall be esteemed for a horse for all his blindness, so he which giveth a blind-Mate shall not lose the Mate, but shall notwithstanding win. To end this controversy and blemish of dishonour, let him that can give check at any time, see first whether it will not be Mate also to the other King, before he give the check, and finding it will be a Mate, then to use these words, check Mate, and strait way the controversy is ended. Let this therefore resolve the reader, that a Mate which we call a blind-Mate, is a Mate, and shall win.   

CHAP. XV. What a stolen is, and how it is given.  
NOw for as much as a stolen is very dishonourable to him that giveth it, I will show the reader, or any other that is desirous to be resolved what it meaneth, and for such as understand the game already, they shall witness with me whether I explain it rightly unto you or no: first, you shall understand a stolen is a lost game by him that giveth it, and no question to be made further thereof: therefore let him that followeth the flying King take heed that he forbear not a check, if he do see that the distressed King have a place to fly unto, for the nearer that the dissressed King is brought to be mated, the sooner a Stolen may be given.  
Imagine the white King were in the middle of the field, or any other place of the field, beset round about, having only but one way to escape, which way the black King likewise stoppeth, without giving check, and this way cometh the Stolen; for if the white King have lost all his men, or having any left he cannot play them, and himself so enclosed about with the enemy, that now he hath but one place to fly unto, which his enemy the black King also stoppeth without check, than this is a stolen: wherefore I shall advise those which are desirous to practise this game, that they take heed they give not a stolen, lest thereby they purchase unto themselves such shame, which will not after be put away without much blushing.   

CHAP. XVI. What care ought to be used in retreating.  
FOR retreating, if the black King maketh a retreat, and not upon constraint, the white King may be assured it is to get some further advantage against him, wherefore it is wisdom not to be too earnest in following such retreat, lest your rash pursuit be too late lamented.   

CHAP. XVII. For advantage gotten, how to make use thereof.  
WHen it shall happen that the black King hath gotten advantage of the white King, let him weaken the white King so much as he can, by changing with him man for man, till he be assured his advantage shall profit him, for we see if two King's armies meet and fight, the one having gotten the better of the other, he forthwith useth the sword till he maketh him that hath the worst yield the glory of the field unto him: I remember that a Nobleman upon a time said, too much mercy was rigour, wherefore he that hath the better of his enemy let him make use of it, he ought not to be blamed, but that King is worthy of much blame, who after he hath the better of his enemy, doth notwithstanding lose the same again, by forbearing his sword, when with praise and honour he might boldly use it, and for reward be crowned King of the field.   

CHAP. XVIII. A play which one author affirmeth that no man possibly can prevent, and this is the play.  
FIrst take your board and the men, and after you have set up the men, then play thus: let the white King for his first draft advance his own Pawn into the fourth house in his own file, than the black King shall advance his Pawn as far forth in the same manner, than the white King for his second draft playeth his own Knight into the third house, before his own Bishop, and the black King for his second draft shall bring forth his own Knight in the same order: then the white King for his third draft, with his Knight taketh the black King's Pawn, and the black King at his third draft, with his Knight taketh the white King's Pawn; then the white King at his fourth draft bringeth forth his Queen, which he placeth in the second house in his own file, this being perceived by the black King at his fourth draft, his Knight to retreat into some place of more safety for fear of the white King's Queen; the white King at his fift draft shall advance his Knight into the third house, before the black King's Queens Bishop, and so giveth check by discovery to the black King, with the white King's Queen, which check the black King howsoever he covereth it, yet he shall lose his Queen remedilessly, for the white King's Knight at his sixth draft shall overthrow the black King's Queen, who cannot be played out of the Knights guard howsoever the check be covered, this being the play which is so hard to be prevented, I shall show you three several ways to make this easy even at to draughts.   

CHAP. XIX. The first way to make a defence for the hard play before mentioned.  
IMagine the white King for his first draft playeth his own pawn into the fourth house before himself, and the black King for his first draft playeth his Pawn in the like manner; then the white King shall play for his second draft, his own Knight, into the third house before his own Bishop, and the black King to hinder the coming on of the white King's Knight, for his second draft advanceth his Queen's Pawn into the third house, before his Queen for to guard his own Pawn, so that the white King's purpose this way is made frustrate.   

CHAP. XX. Another way to hinder the same play.  
SEcondly, imagine the white King for his first draft, playeth forth his own Pawn into the fourth house before himself, and that the black King doth the like for his first draft, than the white King commands his own Knight into the third house before his own Bishop, than you shall play the black King's Knight in the same order, than the white King with his Knight taketh away the black King's Pawn, and the black King with his Knight at his third draft taketh away the white King's Pawn, than the white King at his fourth draft advanceth his Queen's Pawn into the third house before his Queen, whereby the black King's Knight shall be forced to fly: after this the white King for his fift draft may cover his King, as he will, for the game is equal, and this is also the second defence for the play spoken of before.   

CHAP. XXI. The third way to hinder the same play at the second draft.  
IMagine the black King for his first draft advanceth his Pawn into the fourth house before himself, then shall you play the white Kings Pawn for his first draft in the same order, than the black King for his second draft playeth his own Knight into the third house before his own Bishop, after this the white King shall place his Queen in the second house before himself, for his second draft: So than the black King dares not meddle with the white King's Pawn, for fear of losing his Knight, by reason the white Queen guardeth the Pawn, and this is done at two draughts: I could show you also other plays for the same; but this shall suffice.   

CHAP. XXII. For the checking of the King without guard.  
IF a Pawn, or any other man in the field be so hardy, as to give check unto any of the Kings without a guard, and that his check be given the King in such a house where the King may endanger, those men may the King destroy himself, but if they have guard he may not meddle with them for going into check: yet the King that is so braved by his enemy, may cause any of his under-officers, that hath guard upon that house wherein the King is checked, to kill any such one which shall presume to check the King without guard.  

For your last lesson learn this.  
The Kings, what danger soever they are in, may not press one upon another, for there must be always one house free between them, neither can they check one another: and when it shall happen that there is no place for the distressed King to fly unto, but that he must seek for relief in his adverse King's bosom, then is it Mate.   

The Conclusion.  
THus gentle Reader, after thou hast learned to know thy men, and how to place them, which by this book thou shalt easily do, than not to play forth a man without a guard; after that to know well the difference and value of the men, how much one is better than another, and what advantage it is to play first, then to be careful when you exchange that you exchange not for the worst; then to practise, and it shall suffice, for practice is the chiefest of all to bring thee to perfectness. Read this book often, and observe well what thou findest in it, and it shall profit thee more than the playing of a hundredth games: as for the laws of the game thou shalt find them in this book also. Thus having endeavoured myself to show thee courteous Reader what I can, for thy instruction, wishing thy love to this game may be equal to the worthiness thereof, then shall all other games by thee be little respected and less practised, which no doubt shall give thee much quietness and profit. Farewell.    
FINIS.