Saturday, August 16, 2014

Wurzburger Trap

The Wurzburger Trap is a chess opening trap in the Vienna Gambit.  It was named after German banker Max Wurzburger.  (Source:  Wikipedia)

1. e4, e5
2. Nc3, Nf6
3. f4, d5
4. fxe5, Nxf4
5. d3, Qh4+?  (See diagram.)

Black falls into the trap.


 6. g3, Nxg3
7. Nf3, Qh5
8. Nxd5, Bg4

If 8....Nxh1, 9. Nxc7+ Kd8, 10. Nxa8 leads to advantage for White.

9. Nf4, Bxf3
10. Nxh5, Bxd1
11. hxg3, Bxc2?
12. b3 .....


The Bishop on c2 is trapped, and White can move his King to d2 to capture it.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Siberian Trap

The Siberian Trap is derived from the Smith-Morra Gambit of the Sicilian Defense.  In this opening trap, White may lose a Queen.

1. e4, c5
2. d4, cxd4
3. c3, dxc3
4. Nxc3, Nc6
5. Nf3, e6
6. Bc4, Qc7
7. 0-0, Nf6
8. Qe2 ....

White prepares for e5.

8. .... Ng4!
9. h3?? .... (See diagram.)


9. .... Nd4!
10. Nxd4, Qh2 mate.

Magnus Smith Trap

The Magnus Smith Trap is derived from a variation of the Sicilian Defense, named after three-time Canadian chess champion Magnus Smith (1869-1934).

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, Nc6
6. Bc4, g6?!
7. Nxc6, bxc6
8. e5! ...... (See diagram.)

 
8. .... dxe5
9. Bxf7+ ....

White wins the Black Queen after 9....Kxf7.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Elephant Trap

The Elephant Trap comes from a greedy attempt by White to win a pawn in a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined.

1. d4, d5
2. c4, e6
3. Nc3, Nf6
4. Bg5, Nbd7
5. cxd5, exd5
6. Nxd5?? ....

White thinks that the Black Knight is pinned and cannot be moved.























6. .... Nxd5!
7. Bxd8, Bb4+























Black comes with a piece ahead.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Marshall Trap

This trap was named after Frank Marshall, considered one of the world's strongest players in the 20th century.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nf6
3. Nxe5, d6
4. Nf3, Nxe4
5. d4, d5
6. Bd3, Bd6
7. 0-0, 0-0
8. c4, Bg4
9. cxd5, f5
10. Re1? ....
 
A bad move.  White should play Nc3 instead.


10. .... Bxh2+
11. Kxh2, Nxf2
12. Qe2, Nxd3
13. Qxd3, Bxf3
14. Qxf3, Qh4+

White captures the e1-Rook and has winning material advantage.

Monticelli Trap

In chess, the Monticelli Trap is a combination in the Bogo-Indian Defense, named after the Italian champion Mario Monticelli.

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, e6
3. Nf3, Bb4+

The Bogo-Indian Defense.

4. Bd2, Bxd2+
5. Qxd2, b6
6. g3, Bb7
7. Bg2, 0-0
8. Nc3, Ne4
9, Qc2, Nxc3
10. Ng5!  (See diagram.)


White threatens mate at h7 and also threatens capture of Bishop and Rook at b7 and a8.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Halosar Trap

The Halosar Trap is derived from the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. 

1. d4, d5
2. e4?! ....

The start of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. 

2. .... dxe4
3. Nc3, Nf6
4. f3, exf3
5. Qxf3?! ....

The Ryder Gambit.  White allows the d-pawn to be captured and lays a trap.

5. .... Qxd4
6. Be3, Qb4
7. 0-0-0, Bg4


8. Nb5 ....

White threatens mate by Nxc7. 

8. .... Na6
9. Qxb7, Qe4
10. Qxa6, Qxe3+

Worse is 10....Bxd1, 11. Kxd1 Rd8+, 12. Bd2 and White is winning.  For example 12....Ng4 13. Nxc7+ Kd7, 14. Qxa7 ....


11. Kb1, Qc5


12. Nf3 ....

White threatens Qb7 and wins either the a-pawn or the c-pawn by force.