Notes by H. N. Pillsbury.

1. 4.Nf3 4. B to Q 3 and 5. Kt to K 2, as between Steinitz and Albin, seems a better development.
2. 7…Bb4 A favourite idea of Mr. Bird is to exchange the Black Bishop for White Queen's Knight.
3. 13.Nd2 The main objection to this form of opening for Black has always been that at some point White by advancing P to Q 5 could block the adverse Bishop out, or else in some way take advantage of Black King's third square. This point seems to have now arrived, and the advance of the Pawn would seem difficult to answer satisfactorily. If, for instance, Black answers P x P; 14. P x P, Kt to K 2; 15. B to B 4, with the better game (White could not attempt to win two Pieces for a Rook, however, by 15. Q x P, B x P; 16. R x B, &c., on account of K R to Q B sq; 17. Q to Kt 7, Q R to Kt sq, and Black would win). If Black play 13. Kt to Q sq, then 14. Kt to Q 4; and if P x P (P to K 4 (?); 15. Kt x P, Q x Kt; 16. B to Q 3, and should win), 15. P x P, B x P; 16. Kt x P, Q x Kt; 17. R x B, with the better game.
4. 22.Re2 This seems a move to not much purpose. Perhaps 22. P to B 4, Kt to K 5; 23. B x Kt, B P x B; 24. B to Kt 3, threatening to continue Q to R 4, &c., would be more aggressive.
5. 24…e4 Of course, if R to Q B sq, then Kt to K 7, ch, &c. The attack which Black now obtains is very beautiful, and almost wins (see diagram).
6. 33…fxg3 All very fine chess indeed, but there appears to be no more than a draw, a just ending to a most interesting game.