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 Pawns are liberated and arranged for action against the enemy. Openings have been a study of all skilled Chess players and are a subject of keen controversy. Those which are not given in standard works on the subject, or are not classics, are called "Irregular Openings." Openings are known as:—

(1) Games, when neither player makes any concession or offers his adversary any initial advantage.

(2) Gambits, when the first player voluntarily gives up some part of his forces, generally a Pawn, for the sake of obtaining an advantage in position.

(3) Counter-gambits, when the sacrifice is made by the second player.

(4) Defences, when the moves of the second player give the game its distinctive character.

All recognized openings have some distinguishing name, generally one that is associated with some notable chess player or one that is identical with that of the inventor of the particular opening.