All games which commence with any other move than 1. P to K 4, or in which
Black replies with any other move than 1. ... P to K 4, are called Close
Games. These Openings are resorted to either by the first player, if he has
to meet an opponent who is well versed in book knowledge, or by the second
player, if he is afraid to trust himself in the wide field of the Open
Games, with all the numerous variations and combinations, which the first
player, knowing what Opening he proposes to adopt, might have prepared.
The Close Games require a considerable knowledge of pawn-play, which is a
specialty, only to be acquired by long experience. In the Open Games the
attack is mostly made with pieces, while in close or irregular games the
pawns are pushed forward, and the pieces are posted behind them in
strategical positions, and only come into action after the dispositions of
the plan of campaign are matured. Any attempt at full treatment at the
Close Games would therefore be out of place in an elementary treatise.
The French Defence and the Sicilian Defence are, however, exceptions. They
are very frequently played. To these, therefore, it will be necessary to
devote special attention. {406}