A player is said to have the opposition when he can place his King directly in front of the adverse King, with only one square between them. This is often an important advantage in ending games.

To play with correctness and skill the ends of games, is an important but a very rare accomplishment, expect among the magnates of the game.

After white's reply to 1.e4 e5 with 2.f4 the game is in its last throes

A Rook is of the value of five Pawns and a fraction, and may be exchanged for a minor Piece and two Pawns. Two Rooks may be exchanged for three minor Pieces.

The Bishop and Knight, in contradistinction to the Queen and Rook, are called Minor Pieces.

The Queen is by much the most powerful of the forces.

If either player abandon the game by quitting the table in anger, or in an otherwise offensive manner; or by momentarily resigning the game; or refuses to abide by the decision of the Umpire, the game must be scored against him.