My fellow-passenger suddenly turned his head and caught the look of
bewilderment on my face.

"Do you play chess?" he asked.

"Yes, a little. What is that? A problem?"

"Problem? No; a game."

"Impossible!" I exclaimed rather rudely. "The position is a perfect
monstrosity!"

He took from his pocket a postcard and handed it to me. It bore an
address at one side and on the other the words "43. K to Kt 8."

"It is a correspondence game." he exclaimed. "That is my friend's last
move, and I am considering my reply."

"But you really must excuse me; the position seems utterly impossible.
How on earth, for example--"

"Ah!" he broke in smilingly. "I see; you are a beginner; you play to
win."

"Of course you wouldn't play to lose or draw!"

He laughed aloud.

"You have much to learn. My friend and myself do not play for results of