The reader has already had several examples of Gambits, but others still
remain to be described. A pawn is sacrificed in order to get a compensating
advantage in a rapid development of the pieces, and an immediate attack.
Formerly the Gambits were played very frequently, but more perfect
knowledge of the possible defences has caused the less speculative Openings
to be resorted to in preference--a {393} tacit admission that the Gambits
are for the most part hazardous for the first player, though they give rise
to ingenious combinations and interesting positions.
The principal Gambits (apart from the "Evans") are the King's Knight's and
King's Bishop's Gambits. From the former spring other well-known Gambits,
such as the Kieseritzky, Allgaier, Muzio, &c.