Dance of the Horses

1. d4, d5
2. c4, c5
3. Nf3 ....

If 3. dxc5 d4, 4. e3 e5, and Black has control of the center.

3. .... dxc4
4. Nc3, cxd4
5. Qxd4, Qxd4
6. Nxd4, a6
7. Nd5, Kd8

Necessary, as White threatens 8. Nc7+.

8. Bd2, Nd7
 

Moved in order to support b6.

9. Ba5+, b6
10. Nc6+, Ke8
11. Nc7 mate.

Frederiksborg Sacrifice

White sacrifices his Queen to win the game.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, d6
4. 0-0, Ne7
5. Ng5, f6?

This move breaks open Black's kingside.  Best defense is 5....d5.

6. Bf7+, Kd7
7. Qg4+ ....

If 7. Ne6, White wins the Black Queen, but White goes after the most important piece.

7. .... f5
8. exf5, h5

Black is compelled to drive the Queen away, but White is undeterred.

9. f6+, hxg4
10. Be6+, Ke8
11. f7 mate

Sicilian Ruckus

The game is an offshoot of Sicilian Defense.

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, e5
5. Nxc6, bxc6
6. c4, Nf6
7. Qc2, Bc5
8. Bd3? ....

More defensive is Be2.

8. .... Ng4
9. 0-0, Qh4

Threatening mate at h2.

10. h3, h5
11. Qe2 ....

The only hope.  White tries to bring his Queen into play through 12. Qf3 in order to neutralize Black's attack. 

11. .... Qg3

Black takes advantage of the pinned f2 pawn.  White has no choice but to capture the Knight.

12. hxg4 ....

White may prolong the game by sacrificing his Queen:  12. Qxg4 hxg4, 13. Be3 Bxe3, 14. fxe3 Qxe3+ and Black wins.

12. ....  hxg4

White resigns since he cannot avoid mate at h1 after ....Qh2+.

De Coca Trap

1. e4, Nc6
2. d4, d5
3. exd5, Qxd5
4. Nf3, Bg4
5. Nc3, Bxf3
6. Nxd5, Bxd1
7. Nc7+, Kd8
8. Nxa8, Bxc2

After the smoke has cleared, White emerges as a piece up.

9. Bf4 ....

White is intent on maintaining his material advantage.  He should have saved the center pawn, mobilized his f1 Bishop and castled on the king side.

9. .... Nxd4
10. Nc7 ....

White tries to save his Knight.

10. .... e5!
11. Bxe5, Bb4 mate.

From's Gambit

1. f4 ....

Chess literature has long discouraged this opening for White.  It weakens White's kingside defense and becomes susceptible to attack.

1. .... e5

Black sacrifices a pawn to gain control of the center.

2. fxe5, d6
3. exd6, Bxd6
4. Nf3, g5

Black keeps up the pressure.

5. e4, g4
6. e5 ....

White decides to counterplay.  He is better off in 6. Nd4 Qh4+, 7. Ke2 g3, 8. h3 Bh4, 9. Nf3 ....

6. .... gxf3
7. exd6, Qh4+

The beginning of White's end.

8. g3, Qe4+
9. Kf2, Qd4+
10. Ke1, f2+
11. Ke2, Bg4 mate

Quasimodo Trap

The Trap in this game was used to counter an Evan's Gambit which is characterized by the sacrificial move ....b4.  An example of Evan's Gambit may be found in Brilliant Chess Games.

1. e4, c5
2. b4, cxb4
3. d4, e5
4. dxe5, Nc6
5. Nf3, Nge7
6. Bf4, Ng6
7. Bg3, Qa5
8. Qd5, b3!
9. Qxa5, b2!!

Black intends to capture the a1 Rook and promote the pawn to Queen.

10. Qc3 ....

The only way to save the Queen and prevent the pawn from being promoted.

10. .... Bb4
11. Qxb4??  ....

A very bad move.  White's better alternative is 11. N1d2 and after 11.....Bxc3 12. Rb1, White would be fine.

11. .... Nxb4

White resigns.  The b2 Pawn will capture the Rook and will be promoted to Queen.

Chambord Gambit

In this game, Black lures White into believing that he has the upper hand, but Black has something else in mind.

1. d4, d5
2. c4, e5
3. e3, exd4
4. exd4, Nf6
5. Bg5, Be6
6. cxd5, Bxd5
7. Nc3, Nc6
8. Nxd5, Qxd5
9. Bxf6 ....

White is led to believe that Black would have a double-pawn.  Black's next move surprises him.

9. .... Bb4+
10. Ke2, Qe4 mate.

Guaita Attack

The game is derived from a variation of the French Defense.

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, dxe4
4. Nxe4, Bd6
5. Bd3, Ne7
6. Bg5, 0-0
7. Nf6+ .....

The beginning of White's attack.

7. .... gxf6
8. Bxf6, Qd7

Black has to remove the pin on its Queen, since White threatens 9. Qg4+ and Black must be able to block the threat by 9....Ng6.  However, Black did not foresee White's next move.

9. Bxh7+, Kxh7
10. Qh5+, Kg8
11. Qh8 mate.

Enchanting !

Moritzburg Trap

The following game comes from a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted.  It has a semblance of The Legal's Trap that can be found in this blog.

1. e4, e5
2. f4, d6
3. Nf3, Bg4
4. Bc4, exf4
5. Nc3, g5
6. Ne5 ....

 A trap.  White temps Black to capture the Queen.

6. .... Bxd1

If 6.....dxe5, the game may continue: 7. Qxg4 c5, 8. Qf5! Qe7, 9.  Qc8+ Qd8, 10. Bxf7+ Ke7, 11. Nd5+ and Black's Queen is lost.

7.  Bxf7+, Ke7
8. Nd5 mate.

Blair Attack

The game features an exemplary attack on f7,

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. d4, exd4
5. Nxd4, Nxe4
6. Bxf7+ ....

The commencement of Blair Attack.

6. .... Kxf7
7. Qh5+, g6

The most logical move.  If 7....Kg8 then 8. Qd5 mate.  If 7.... Ke7 then 8. Nf5+ with a blistering attack.

8. Qd5+, Kg7
9. Nxc6 ....

White simplifies the position, taking advantage of the pin on Black Queen.  Now, if 9....bxc6, then 10. Qxe4.

9. .... Nf6

Black tries to save his remaining Knight, hoping for an exchange of Queens as in: 10. Nxd8 Nxd5.

10. Bh6+, Kxh6
11. Qd2+

Black resigns.  His Queen is lost.

Hatley Gambit

This game features a magnificent Queen sacrifice on the 8th move.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, exd4
4. Nxd4, Nge7?

Black's last move prevents his other pieces from being mobilized.

5. Nc3, g6
6. Bg5, Bg7
7. Nd5, Bxd4


Black took the gambit pawn, not knowing that it is poisoned.   If 7....Nxd4, then 8. Bxe7 and White wins the Queen.

8. Qxd4 ....

A complete surprise.  This move also threatens 9. Qxh8.  At this point, if 8....0-0, then 9. Nf6+ Kh8, 10. Qc3 with a good pin on the Black King.

8. ....  Nxd4
9. Nf6+, Kf8
10. Bh6 mate.

Hohensalzburg Sacrifice

In this game, Black sacrifices a Bishop and a Knight in order to win.

1. d4, d5
2. Nf3, Nf6
3. Nbd2, e6
4. a3, c5
5. dxc5, Bxc5
6. b4, Bxf2+

7. Kxf2, Ng4+
8. Kg3 ....

If 8. Ke1, then 9......Ne3 smothers the Queen.

8. .... h5!
9. h3 ....

White tries to drive away the Knight.  If 9. h4, then ....Qc7+ 10. Kh3 e5!!.  An attack follows after the opening of the h3-e8 diagonal.

9. .... h4+
10. Kxg4, e5 mate.

Beautiful.

Peles Attack

The Peles Attack involves a pawn sacrifice at the opening stage of the game.

1. e4, c5
2. d4, cxd4
3. Nf3, e5
4. c3 ....

After 4. Nxe5 Qe7, 5. Bf4 d6, Black acquires control of the center.

4. .... dxc3
5. Nxc3, Nc6
6. Bc4, Be7
7. Qd5! ....

7. .... Qc7

Since Black has no way of defending the f7 square, he creates an escape route for the King.

Another alternative for Black is 7....d6 but the Black King may be forced to move to center.  The game may continue 8. Qxf7 Kd7, 9. Nb5 (threatening Be6 mate) Nd4, 10. Nfxd4 exd4, 11. Be6+ Kc6, 12. Nxd4+ ....

8. Qxf7+, Kd8
9. Qxg7, Bf6

The only way to save the Rook.

10. Qf8 mate.

Matsumoto Trap

The game was derived from a variation of the King's Gambit Accepted.

1. e4, e5
2. f4, exf4
3. Nf3, Be7
4. Bc4, Bh4+
5. Nxh4 ....

The more popular variation is 5. g3 fxg3, 6. 0-0 gxh2+, 7. Kh1 with a potential attack on f7.

5. .... Qxh4+
6. Kf1, Nf6
7. d3? ....

White's best line of defense should have been 7. h3.  Now, if 7....Nxe4 Qe2 with a good pin on Black's King.

7. .... Ng4
8. Qe2 ....

Now, Black is poised for attack....

8. .... Nxh2+
9. Kg1, f3!
10. gxf3? ....

White takes the trap.  One defensive move is 10. Qf2 Qxf2, 11. Kxf2 Ng4++, 12. Kf1  (Not 12. Kxf3 because of 12....Ne5 which favors Black)  fxg2+, 13. Kxg2 and Black's attack fizzles out.

10. .... Qg3+
11. Qg2, Nxf3+
12. Kf1, Qe1 mate.

Kilkenny Attack

The Kilkenny Attack sacrifices a Bishop in the early stage of the game, and followed by an attack of the White Knight at f7.

1. e4, Nf6
2. e5, Nd5
3. Nf3, d6
4. Bc4, Nb6?

Better is 4....e6, thereby solidifying the central pawn defense.

5. Bxf7+, Kxf7
6. Ng5+ ....

The beginning of White's attack.

6. .... Kg8

If 6....Ke8, then 7. e6 Nd5, 8. Nf7 and White would be able to capture the Black Queen.

If 6.....Kg6, then 7. e6 Kxg5, 8. d4+ Kf6, 9. d5 Qe8, 10. Qf3+ Kg6, 11. Qg4+ Kf6, 12. Qg5 mate.

7. Qf3, Qe8
8. e6!!, h6
9. Qf7+, Qxf7
10. exf7 mate

Kolossi Gambit

The Kolossi Gambit involves a fascinating double-check at the early stage of the game. 

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nf6
4. 0-0, d6
5. d4, Nxe4
6. d5!, a6
7. Bd3 ....

A lesson in tempo.  Now, Black has to save two pieces instead of one.

7. .... Nf6
8. dxc6, e4
9. Re1, d5
10. Be2 ....

A gambit.  White tries to lure Black into capturing the f3 Knight.

10. .... exf3
11. cxb7, Bxb7

If 11......fxe2, then 12. bxa8=Q and White has the material advantage.

12. Bb5+ mate.

Marvelous!

Himeji Sacrifice

The Himeji Sacrifice involves a Queen sacrifice on the 8th move.

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. Nc3, e5?

Black's third move deviated from the normal Sicilian Defense, allowing White to penetrate the central diagonals.

4. Bc4, Nc6
5. d3, Nge7
6. Bg5, Bg4
7. Nd5, Nd4
8. Nxe5 !! ....

8. .... Bxd1

Black took the gambit, not knowing that the Queen is poisoned.  At this point, Black's best move may be 8......dxe5, 9. Qxg4 Nxc2+, 10. Kd2 Nxa1, 11. Rxa1 ....

9. Nf6+, gxf6

Forced.

10. Bxf7 mate

Simply elegant.

Attack of the Cardinals

This game is so called because two Bishops are instrumental in clinching victory.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nge7
4. c3, d6
5. d4, Bd7
6. 0-0, Ng6
7. Ng5, h6
8. Nxf7 ....

A surprise move.  Black has no choice but to capture the Knight.

8. .... Kxf7
9. Bc4+, Ke7

If 9.....Be6, then 10. d5 ! and White regains her sacrificed piece.   If 9.....Ke8 then 10. Qh5 Qf6, 11. f4! ... and White's attack shall be devastating.

10. Qh5, Qe8
11. Qg5+, hxg5
12. Bxg5 mate

The same result happens if 11. Bg5+ hxg5, 12. Qxg5 mate.

Tarantula's Venom

This game involves a daring Rook sacrifice and a combination of moves that leads to mate.

1. d4, d5
2. Bf4, c5
3. Bxb8, Rxb8
4. dxc5, e6
5. Qd4, Qc7
6. b4, b6
7. cxb6, Rxb6
8. c3, Rxb4 !!

So sudden.  White was not even able to catch his breadth.

9. cxb4, Qc1+
10.  Qd1, Bxb4+
11. Nd2, Bxd2 mate

Fantastic!   A gem of a game.

Frontenac Gambit

The gambit has an explosive opening and sacrifices a knight to trap the Queen.

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, c5
4. exd5, exd5
5. Bb5+, Nc6
6. Nf3, Nf6
7. Ne5, Qc7
8. Bg5, Ne4
9. Nxd5, Qd6
10. Bh4, Qxd5

Black thinks he gained a piece.  White's next move surprised him.

11. Bc4, Qxd4
12. Bxf7 mate

Chameleon Attack

In this game, White wins after a failed Alekhine Defense.  Black is attacked at its weakest point:  the f7 square.

1. e4, Nf6
2. e5, Nd5
3. c4, Nb6
4. d4, d6
5. Bd3, dxe5
6. dxe5, N8d7
7. e6 !! .....

7. .... Nf6

Certainly not 7....fxe6, for White replies with 8. Qh5+ g6, 9. Qxg6+ hxg6, 10. Bxg6 mate.

8. exf7+, Kxf7
9. Bg6+, hxg6
10. Qxd8 ....

Black loses his Queen.

Cricket Attack

The Cricket Attack demonstrates a Queen sacrifice in a simple yet artistic way.

1. e4, Nc6
2. d4, e5
3. d5, Nce7
4. f4, d6
5. Nf3, Bg4
6. Nc3, Ng6
7. h4, Bxf3
8. Bb5+ ....

Ignoring the attacking Bishop, White goes after the opponent's King.

8. .... c6
9. dxc6!, Bxd1
10. cxb7+, Ke7
11. Nd5+, Ke6
12. f5 mate

Heidelberg Sacrifice

In the following game, White sacrifices the Queen to achieve victory.

1. e4, d5
2. exd5, Qxd5
3. Nc3, Qd8
4. d4, Nc6
5. Nf3, Bg4
6. d5!, Ne5

Black thinks he has a good pin.  White's next move surprises him.

7. Nxe5, Bxd1
8. Bb5+, c6
9. dxc6, Qc7?

Black's best reply is 9....a6, though after 10. c7+ axb5, 11. cxd8 Rxd8, 12. Nxd1 ...., White still has the upper hand.

10. cxb7, Kd8

If 10.....Qd7, then 11. bxa8 mate.

11. Nxf7 mate

Bedoin's Gambit

The following game is a variation of the Falkbeer Counter-Gambit.

1. e4, e5
2. f4, d5
3. Nf3? ....

In Falkbeer Counter-Gambit, the normal continuation is 3. exd5 e4, 4. Bb5+ ....  In this variation, White's center becomes susceptible to attack.

3. .... dxe4
4. Nxe5, Bc5
5. Nc3, Nf6
6. Qe2? ....

A mistake.  White should have released his Bishop sooner with 6. Bc4.

6. .... Nc6
7. Nxf7, Qe7

If 7....Kxe7, then 8. Qc4+ Be6, 9. Qxc5.  White menaces the center and keeps Black from castling.

8. Nxh8, Nd4!

With this move, Black paralyzes the White Queen and paves the way for a brutal attack.

9. Qd1, Nf3+!!

10. gxf3 ....

Forced.  If 10. Ke2, then Black replies with b6, followed by 11.....Ba6.

10. .... exf3+
11. Be2 ....

Again forced.

11. .... f2+
12. Kf1, Bh3 mate.

Hunchback Attack

The Hunchback Attack is a variation of the Queen's Gambit.

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, e6
3. Nf3, d5
4. g3, dxc4
5. Nbd2, c5
6. dxc5, Bxc5
7. Bg2, Bxf2+

8. Kxf2,  Ng4+
9. Ke1 ....

If 9. Kf1, then 9......Ne3 wins the Queen.  if 9. Kg1, then 9.....Qb6 forces mate.

9. .... Ne3
10. Qa4+, Bd7

White usually resigns. The Queen is forced to move to a3 or b4, where it will be captured after a fork by Black's Knight at c2.

Sura's Trap

The Sura's Trap is a variation of the king's Gambit Accepted.

1. e4, e5
2. f4, exf4
3. Nc3, g5
4. Nf3, g4
5. Ne5, Qh4+
6. g3, fxg3
7. Qxg4, g2+
8. Qxh4, gxh1=Q
9. Nd5 ....

Threatening 10. Nxc7 ....

9. .... Na6
10.  d4, Be7

11. Qxe7, Nxe7
12. Nf6+, Kd8

If 12.....Kf8, then 13. Bh6 mate.

13. Nxf7 mate.

Kruger's Attack

Kruger's Attack demonstrates the importance of keeping a strong central pawn structure.

1. d4, d5
2. c4, e6
3. Nc3, c5
4. cxd5, cxd4?

Black weakens his center.  White took advantage of this by a series of attacking moves.

5. dxe6, dxc3?

The Knight is poisoned.  Black's best reply should have been 5.....Bb4 pinning the Knight.

6. exf7, Ke7

Of course not 6.....Kxf7 because of the threat 7. Qxd8.

7. fxg8=N+, Rxg8
8. Bg5+ .....

Black loses his Queen.

Harakiri

In this game, Black sacrifices so many pieces, doing what seems to be a  "harakiri", Japanese term for honorable suicide, which ultimately pays off because White gets mated in the end.

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, e5
3. d5 ....

Normal line of play is 3. dxe5, and may lead to another trick  as in the Budapest Gambit.

3. .... Bc5!
4. h3? ....

Better is 4. e3 which effectively prevents the following disaster.

4. .... Bxf2!
5. Kxf2, Ne4+
6. Kf3 ....

If 6. Ke3, then 6.....Qh4, 7. Nf3 Qf4+, 8. Kd3 Nf2+, 9. Kc2 Qe4+, 10. Kd2 Nxd1 and Black wins.

6. .... Qh4
7. g3 ....

With this move, White will be able to capture the e4 Knight.

7. .... Qxg3+
8. Kxe4, f5+
9. Kxf5, d6+
10. Ke4, Bf5+
11. Kxf5, Qg6 mate

In all, Black sacrificed two Bishops, one Knight, and 1 pawn to gain victory.

Loco Obispo Gambit

In the following game, a barrage of pawns attack a retreating Bishop.

1. d4, f5
2. Bg5, h6
3. Bf4, g5
4. Bg3 ....

White seems crazy to retreat, when he could have moved 5. Be5 .....

4. .... f4
5. e3 ....

The end of the crazy Bishop?  Not so.  If 5....fxg3, then 6. Qh5 mate.

5. .... h5

Seeing White's threat, Black seals the h5 square.

6. Bd3, Rh6

Forced.  White threatens 7. Bg6 mate.

7. Qxh5+, Rxh5
8. Bg6 mate.

Bishop's Gambit

The following game is a variant of the King's Gambit Accepted.

1. e4, e5
2. f4, exf4
3. Bc4, Qh4+
4. Kf1, b5

Black is willing to sacrifice a pawn in order to open the a6-f1 diagonal.

5. Bd5, Nc6
6. Nf3, Qh5
7. d4, Nf6
8. Bb3, Ba6
9. Qe2, Nxd4
10. Nxd4, b4!

11. Qxa6?  ...

A mistake. White's best defense is c4, and if 12. bxc4 (e.p.) Qxa6, Black cannot mate because d1 is secured.

11. ....  Qd1+
12. Kf2, Ng4 mate.

Magnifico.

Alnwick Gambit

In Alnwick Gambit, Black sacrifices a Bishop, and wins the game.

1. e4, e5
2. Ne2, d5
3. exd5, Qxd5
4. Nc3, Qa5
5. d4, Nc6
6. d5, Nb4
7. Bd2 ....

Not 7. h3, a useless move in view of Black Queen's pin on White's Rook.

7. .... Bf5
8. Rc1 ....

White is forced to defend the beleaguered pawn at c2.

8. .... Bxc2
9. Rxc2, Nd3 mate

Warwick Trap

The Warwick Castle, in all its beauty, is fit for a Queen.  But beware of the trap that lies beneath...

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, exd4
4. Nxd4, Qh4
5. Nc3, Nf6?

A premature move.  The Knight effectively blocked all exits of the Queen.

6. Nf5, Qh5

Black has nothing better.  If 6....Qg4, then 7. f3 Qh5, 8. g4 Qg6, and 9. Nh4!

7. Be2, Qg6
8. Nh4! ....

Black usually resigns.  The Queen is trapped.

Windsor Attack

The Queen, who lives in Windsor Castle, is the most prominent attacking piece in this game.

1. e4, c6
2. d4, d5
3. Bd3, Nf6?

A premature move.  Why move a piece that will eventually be driven away?

4. e5,  Nd7
5. e6! ....

This move has effectively weakened Black's kingside pawn structure.

5. .... fxe6

Black falls into the trap.  The better move is 5.....Nf6 somehow diminishing White's attack.  In this variation, the game may continue:  6. exf7+ Kxf7, 7. Bg5 g6 ....

6. Qh5+, g6
7. Qxg6+, hxg6
8. Bxg6 mate.

Or White can play 7. Bxg6 hxg6, 8. Qxg6 mate.

Falkbeer Counter Attack

The following game comes from a variation of the Falkbeer Counter Gambit.

1. e4, e5
2. f4, d5
3. Nf3 ? ....

The standard play here is 3. exd5 e4, 4. Bb5+.

3. .... dxe4
4. Nxe5, Nc6
5. Bb5, Nf6

6. Nxc6, bxc6
7. Bxc6+, Bd7
8. Bxa8, Bg4 !!

Black wins the Queen and the game.

Knight Trap

The Knight Trap comes from a variation of the Alekhine Defense.

1. e4, Nf6
2. e5, Nd5
3. c4, Nb6
4. d4, Nc6 ?

Standard play in the Alekhine Defense is 4....d6.

5. d5!, Nxe5
6. c5!!, Nc4
7. f4! ....

Whichever piece Black moves, he loses a Knight.

But White must not be too greedy to grab a Knight.  If 7.....e6, then White must answer 8. g3 before capturing the e5 Knight in order to avoid the devastating reply 8....Qh4+.

Edinburgh Trap

In Edinburgh Trap, the Black Knight confuses the enemy, and sets a trap for a mate.

1. d4, Nf6
2. Nd2 ....

A bad position for the Knight.  Now Black offers a pawn as bait.....

2. .... e5
3. dxe5, Ng4

It would look as though the Knight wants to recapture the e5 pawn, but actually goes for the opponent Queen.

4. h3, Ne3!!
5. fxe3, Qh4 mate.

Bamburgh Gambit

The Bamburgh Gambit features a Queen Sacrifice in exchange for a mating attack.

1. e4, e5
2. Bc4, Nf6
3. Ne2, Nc6
4. d4 ....

White's reply whether or not Black's Knight takes the e4 pawn.  If 3.....Nxe4, then 4. d4 exd4, 5. Qxd4 Nf6, 6. Bg5 Be7, 7. 0-0 White gets a strong center and a possible avenue of attack along the e-file.

4. .... Nxe4
5. dxe5, Nxf2

 6. 0-0 !! ....

 Rightly so.  If 6. Kxf2 Qh4+, 7. Kf1 Qxc4 the position favors Black.

6. .... Nxd1
7. Bxf7+, Ke7
8. Bg5 mate.