Saturday, December 6, 2014

Noah's Ark Trap

The Noah's Ark Trap is a chess opening trap in the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game).  The name is actually used to describe a family of traps in the Ruy Lopez in which a white bishop is trapped on the b3-square by black pawns.  Source:  Wikipedia.

The following game actually happened between Endre Steiner and Jose Raul Capablanca in 1929.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, d6
5. d4 ....

White has a choice of better moves:  c3, Bxc6+, or 0-0.

5. .... b5
6. Bb3, Nxd4
7. Nxd4, exd4
8. Qxd4?? ....

A better move for White is 8. Bd5, or try a gambit with 8. c3.

8. .... c5
9. Qd5, Be6
10. Qc6+, Bd7
11. Qd5, c4

(See diagram).

The Bishop is trapped and White resigned after 32 moves.

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