King's Gambit

This opening is a variation of King's Gambit Accepted.

1. e4, e5
2. f4, exf4
3. Nf3, d5
4. Nc3, dxe4
5. Nxe4, Bg4
6. Qe2 ....

White rightfully sees the e-file as an avenue for attack.

6. .... Bxf3
7. Nf6 mate.

Mad Sicilian

The Mad Sicilian is an opening contributed by madhatter (Chess Tempo, January 20, 2009).  It is a simple yet tricky opening.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, g6
6. Be3, Bg7
7, f3, Nc6
8. Qd2, 0-0
9. 0-0-0,d5

If Black decides to immediately attack the Knight with 9....e5, then White exchanges Knights and gets an extra pawn, e.g. 10. Nxc6 bxc6, 11. Qxd6 ....

10. Kb1, dxe4


11. Nxc6, Qxd2
12. Nxe7+ .....

White gains an extra piece.  The exchange of Queens becomes immaterial.

12. .... Kh8
13. Rxd2 ....

Simply elegant !

Trompowsky Attack

1. d4, d5
2. Bg5 ....

The Trompowsky Attack, named after the former Brazilian champion, Octavio Trompowsky.

2. .... c5
3. dxc5, Qa5+

Black loses a piece after 3.....Nc6, 4. Nc3 d4, 5. Ne4 Bf5, 6. Nd6+ ....

4. Nc3, e6
5. e4! ....

White puts pressure on the d-pawn, and Black has no choice but to exchange.

5. .... dxe4
6. b4! ....

Now White goes after the Queen, and threatening Qd8 mate.

6. .... Qc7
7. Nb5!, Qd7
8. Qxd7, Kxd7

If 8....Bxd7 (or Nxd7) then White responds with 9. Nc7+ winning the Rook.

9. 0-0-0+, Kc6

The King cannot go back to e8 because of the threat Rd8 mate.

10. Nd6 ....

Now White threatens to capture the Bishop and also threatens Nxf7.

10. .... Bxd6
11. Rxd6+, Kc7
12. Bd8 mate.

Amazing finale!

Fried Liver Attack

An attack by White.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. Ng5, d5
5. exd5, Nxd5
6. Nxf7, Kxf7
7. Qf3+ ....

There are many variations after this, depending on where the King goes.  The King is ultimately chased all over the board.


Another variation to this game is the Two Knights Defense Trap,  an attack by Black, and which has the same opening as the Fried Liver Attack.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. Ng5, d5
5. exd5, Nd4

Instead of taking the d pawn, Black's Knight goes to d4, and leaves his f-pawn very vulnerable to attack.

6. d6 ....

6. .... Qxd6
7. Nxf7, Qc6

At this point, Black attacks the Bishop at c4 and the g2 pawn.

8. Nxh8, Qxg2
9. Rf1, Qe4+
10. Be2, Nf3 mate.


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Kostic's Trap

This trap was named after Serbian Grandmaster Borislav Kostic, who played it in the 20th century.  It is also known as the Blackburne Shilling Gambit.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nd4

Black intentionally leaves the e5 pawn as bait.   White takes the pawn on what looks like a strong attack on f7.

4. Nxe5, Qg5

 
5. Nxf7 ....

The Bishop may take the pawn instead (5. Bxf7 ....) but Black simply moves the King away (5.....Kd8).

5. .... Qxg2
6. Rf1  ...

What happens if the Knight takes the Rook at h8?  If 6. Nxh8 then Qxh1+, 7. Bf1 Qxe4+, 8. Be2 Nxc2+, 9. Kf1 Qh1 mate.

6. ...  Qxe4+
7. Be2, Nf3 mate

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French Queen's Trap

The following game arises in a variation of the French Defense.

1. e4 e6
2. d4, d5
3. e5, c5
4. c3, Nc6
5. Nf3, cxd4
6. cxd4, Nge7
7. Bd3, Qb6
8. 0-0, Nxd4

9. Nxd4, Qxd4
10. Bb5+

Black loses his Queen.