Board 8 of the Birmingham blindfold display; a Sicilian against Mr. Wills, the winning combination from the thirtieth move conceived blindfold while seven other games were in progress.

1. 5.Be3 The move that we advocate here is Kt. to Q. Kt's 5th, which at once gives White a superior position, as the following variations prove:— 5. Kt. to Q. Kt's 5th, P. to Q. R's 3rd (or A); 6. Kt. to Q's 6th (ch.), B. takes Kt.; 7. Q. takes B., and, as was shown in three games played by the Editor against Anderssen, Morphy, and Staunton, White's game is to be preferred. (A) 5. P. to Q's 3rd; 6. B. to K. B's 4th, P. to K's 4th; 7. B. to K's 3rd, and Black's Queen's Pawn, being unsupported, is weak, and his game inferior.
2. 6…e5 Never a good move when, as in the present instance, it leaves the Queen's Pawn in the rear unsupported, because as the game advances, that Pawn becomes the object of attack, and as a general rule, falls.
3. 30.Rxa7 This combination is carried out with a precision that would have done credit to a first-rate player with the board and men before him, and becomes marvellous when we reflect that it was conceived blindfold, and whilst the player was engaged simultaneously in seven other games. White has now ensured the clear gain of a Pawn.
4. 37.h7 And wins.