Common White Traps

Here are some traps when you are playing White:

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. c3, Nf6
4. Be2 ...

White offers a pawn, and Black does not know that it is poisoned.

4. ... Nxe4
5. Qa4+

No matter how Black replies, White gains a Knight.


Here's another opening trick:

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, e5
6. Ndb5, d6
7. Nd5, Nxd5
8. exd5, Ne7
9. c4, a6
10. Qa4 ...

10. ... Qd7

Black has no choice.  If 10....Bd7 then 11. Nxd6 mate.

11. Nxd6+, Kd8
12. Nxf7+ ...

White gains material advantage.

Common Black Traps

We are going to orient our chessboard on the Black's side.  Here are some common traps when you are playing Black:

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, e6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. e5 ...

White succumbs to Black's trap.

5. ... Qa5+ !
6. Nc3 or Bd2, Qxa5+

Black wins a pawn.


Here's another one:

1. 1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. Ng5, d5
5. exd5, Nd5
6. d6 ...

White attacks the f7 pawn.

6. ... Qxd6
7. Nxf7 ...

7. ...  Qc6!

White now attacks the Bishop and the g2 pawn.

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

What happens if the Bishop takes the f7 pawn at move 7?

7. Bxf7+ Ke7
8. Bb3 ...

If 8. Bc4 then Black replies with Qc6 attacking the Bishop and the b7 pawn.

8. ... Nxb3
9. axb3, h6
10. Nf3, e4
11. Ng1 ...

After this position, Black is relatively more mobile than White.

Benko Gambit

The Benko Gambit (or Volga Gambit) is a chess opening characterized by the move 3...b5 in the Benoni Defense arising after:

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 c5

3. d5 b5

 

Black sacrifices a pawn in order to gain rapid development.  Apart from this, Black also obtains fast development and good control of the a1–h8 diagonal and can exert pressure down the half-open a- and b-files. These are benefits which can last well into the endgame and so, unusually for a gambit, Black does not generally mind if queens are exchanged; indeed, exchanging queens can often remove the sting from a kingside attack by White.

 

The following game was actually played by Yury Nikolaevich Shaposnikov vs. Georgy Bastrikov in 1954:

 

1. d4, Nf6

2. c4, c5

3. d5, b5

4. cxb5, e6

5. Nc3, exd5

6. Nxd5, Bb7

 7. e4, Nxe4

 

 

White gives back the pawn in order to mobilize his f1 Bishop.   But undeniably, Black controls the center.

8. Bf4, Qa5+

9. b4 ....

Temporarily closing the diagonal.

9. .... cxb4

10. Bc4!? ....

 

Since b3 is inevitable, White decides to create an escape square for his King.

10. .... b3

11. Kf1, b2!!

12. Rb1, Bd6!

 

Defends the c7 square and prepares to castle at the kingside.

13.  Qd4, 0-0

Black decides to put his King to safety, sacrificing his Knight in the process.  He cannot move the Knight without endangering his d7 Bishop.

14. Qxe4, Bxf4

15. Ne7+, Kh8

16. Qxf4, Qc3

17. Nf3, Re8

18. Qxf7, Na6

19. bxa6, Be4

20. Ke2, Bg6!!

21. Ng5, Rxe7!!

22. Qxe7, Qxc4+

23. Kf3, Bh5+

White resigns.  if 24. Ke3, then Black replies with Re8.  If 24. Kg3, White mates with Qg4.

Halloween Gambit

The Halloween Gambit (also known as the Müller–Schulze Gambit or Leipzig Gambit) is an aggressive chess opening gambit in which White sacrifices a knight early on for a single pawn. The opening is an offshoot of the normally staid Four Knights Game and is defined by the moves:

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Nc3 Nf6

4. Nxe5

White's objective is to seize the center with pawns and drive back Black's knights. After 4... Nxe5, White usually plays 5. d4 (5.f4 does nothing for his development), after which Black can retreat the attacked knight to either g6 or c6.  (Source:  Wikipedia)

4. ....  Nxe5

5. d4, Ng6

When Black retreats 5...Nc6, White chases the knight again with 6.d5. Then Black has 6...Ne5 (the Main line), or 6...Bb4 (Pinski's move).

6. e5, Ng8

7. Bc4,  c6

8. Qf3, f6

Black's attempt to block White's Bishop (d5) would be futile because of 9.....exd5 (e.p.).

9. 0-0, d5

10. exd5, Bxd6

11. Ne4, N8e7

12. Qxf6!! ....

12. .... gxf6?

13. Nxf6+, Kf8

14. Bh6 mate.

To see other Halloween Gambit games, you may visit Win With the Halloween Gambit.

Scotch Gambit

The Scotch Gambit is an older relative of the Göring Gambit, reached via the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4, or sometimes 2.d4 exd4 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Bc4 or 2.d4 exd4 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.Nf3.   Instead of offering the gambit immediately with c2-c3, White plays Bc4 first, keeping open the option of recapturing the pawn on d4.  If Black is not careful he or she can be confused by the various transpositions and end up in a poor line of the Göring Gambit.  The move 4.Bc4 also covers the d5-square, which prevents Black from equalizing with 4...d5 (an effective counter to the immediate 4.c3).

The main drawback of White’s move-order is that the e4-pawn is unprotected, and Black’s most reliable responses involve targeting the e4-pawn with 4...Nf6 (transposing to the Two Knights’ Defense) and 4...Bc5 5.c3 Nf6 (transposing to the Giuoco Piano).  Black can also transpose into a line of the Hungarian Defense with 4...Be7.  On the other hand, this means that the Scotch Gambit is a good way for White to steer play towards a standard Italian Game while avoiding the solid lines in which Black plays to reinforce the pawn on e5 (for after both 1.e4 e5 2.d4 and 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4, Black has no good way to maintain the pawn on e5).  (Source: 50webs.com)

 

 1. e4, e5

2. Nf3, Nc6

3. d4, exd4

4. Bc4 ....

One of the main lines of the Scotch Gambit.

4. ....  Bc5

Black may continue 4..... Bb4, 5. c3 dxc3, 6. bxc3 c5, 7. Bxf7 Kxf7, 8. Qd5+ which favors White.

5. c3, dxc3

 

If 5..... Nf6, the game may continue 6. e5 Ne4, 7. Bd5 ...

 

6. Bxf7+, Kxf7

7. Qd5+  ....

7. .... Kg6

If 7..... Kf6, then 8. Bg5+ Kg6, 9. Qf5+ Kh5, 10. g4 mate.

8. Qf5 mate.

Cochrane Gambit

The Cochrane Gambit was named after John Cochrane who was a nineteenth century Scottish chess master. And he was a strong one too, ranked only below Howard Staunton who is very well known for his design of the chess pieces that we still use in tournament play. Cochrane was a well known name in the Calcutta (now known as Kolkatta) chess club as he played against several Indian players there while he lived in India. The first appearance of the Cochrane gambit against the Petrov's defense according to Wikipedia and my Mega Database was in the year 1848 against an Indian master Mohishunder Bannerjee.  (Source:  Chess.com)

Here is one variation of the gambit:

1. e4, e5

2. Nf3, Nf6

3. Nxe5, d6

4. Nxf7, Kxf7

5. d4, Nxe4

Black takes the bait.  Herein lies the trap of the Cochrane.

6. Qh5+, Ke7

If 6.... g6, the game may continue: 7. Qd5+ Be6, 8. Qxe4 .... and White was able to take back his sacrificed Knight plus an extra pawn.

7. Qe2, d5

8. Bg5+ ....

White captures the opponent's Queen.

You may go to Cochrane Gambit Games.

Danish Gambit

The Danish Gambit, known as the Nordisches Gambit (Nordic Gambit) in German, and the Noors Gambiet (Norwegian Gambit) in Dutch, is a chess opening that begins with the moves

1. e4, e5
2. d4, exd4
3. c3 ....

 White will sacrifice one or two pawns for the sake of rapid development and the attack. However, with care, Black can accept one or both pawns safely, or simply decline the gambit altogether with good chances.  (Source: Wikipedia)

The text is part of the Danish Gambit Accepted.

3. .... dxc3
4. Bc4, cxb2
5. Bxb2 ...

Analyzing the position, White has more active and developed pieces (e.g. Bishops), which, if Black is not careful, may be instrumental in assuring White's victory.

5. .... Nf6
6. Nc3, Bb4
7. Ne2, Nxe4
8. 0-0 ...

If 8. Qd5 Black replies Nd6.

8. ... Nxc3
9. Nxc3, 0-0
10. Nd5, Bc5
11. Nf6+!! ....

Taking advantage of his two Bishops,  White decides to open up avenues of attack.

11. .... gxf6
12. Qg4+, Kh8
13. Qh4, Be7
14. Bd3 ....

Usually, Black resigns immediately.  He has no solution to an impending mate.

For other variations, you may visit The Danish Gambit.

For a classic Danish Gambit game, you may go to A Danish Gambit Classic.

Boden's Mate

Boden's Mate is characterized by a king being mated by two bishops along two criss-crossing diagonals.  The most famous example of Boden's Mate is the so-called Peruvian Immortal Game, Canal vs. Dubyna, Budapest 1934.

In the following game, Samuel Boden, for whom the mate is named, exhibited an early example of it in a friendly game Schulder–Boden, London 1853.  Source: Wikipedia.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, d6
3. c3, f5
4. Bc4, Nf6
5. d4, fxe4
6. dxe5, exf3
7. exf6, Qxf6
8. gxf3, Nc6
9. f4, Bd7
10. Be3, 0-0-0
11. Nd2, Re8
12. Qf3, Bf5
13. 0-0-0? ....

Bd5 is better.

13. .... d5!
14. Bxd5? ....

This move allows a forced mate. Better is 14. Rde1, losing a piece.

14. .... Qxc3+
15. bxc3, Ba3 mate.

Tarrasch Trap

The Tarrasch Trap was named after Siegbert Tarrasch, who was one of the strongest chess players in the late 19th century and early 20th century.  Tarrasch actually used his traps against chess masters in tournament games.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, a6
4. Ba4, Nf6
5. 0-0, Nxe4

The Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez.

6. d4, b5
7. Bb3, d5
8. dxe5, Be6
9. c3, Be7
10. Re1, 0-0
11. Nd4, Qd7?

12. Nxe6!! ....

If 12....fxe6 or Qxe6, then 13. Rxe4 and White wins a piece.

Dresden Trap

The Dresden Trap is also a form of Tarrasch Trap, and occurs in the Steinitz Variation of the Ruy Lopez.  Source:  Wikipedia.

The following game actually happened between Siegbert Tarrasch versus Georg Marco in 1892.

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, d6

This is the Steinitz Variation of the Ruy Lopez Opening.

4. d4, Bd7
5. Nc3, Nf6
6. 0-0, Be7
7. Re1 ....

White lays a trap. Castling seems a natural move for Black but it loses a pawn.

7. .... 0-0

A better move for Black is 7. .... exd4.

8. Bxc6, Bxc6
9. dxe5, dxe5
10. Qxd8, Rxd8
11. Nxe5, Bxe4?!
12. Nxe4, Nxe4
13. Nd3 ....

Not 13. Rxe4 because of 13.....Rd1+ with a mating threat.

13. .... f5

The Black Knight cannot move because of a pin on e7 Bishop.

14. f3, Bc5+?!

Better is 14...Bh4, 15. g3 Nxg3, 16. hxg3 Bxg3 where Black gets two pawns for the Knight.

15. Nxc5, Nxc5
16. Bg5, Rd5
17. Be7, Re8
18. c4! ...

White wins at least the exchange, so Marco resigned.

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.

The Mortimer Trap

The trap, named after James Mortimer, begins with Black playing the Berlin Defense to the Ruy Lopez.  It is a true trap in the sense that Black deliberately plays an inferior move hoping to trick White into making a mistake.  (Source:  Wikipedia)

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, Nc6
3. Bb5, Nf6
4. d3, Ne7

Black intends to reroute the Knight to g6.  It is an inferior move, but it lays a trap.

5. Nxe5?, c6!

Black threatens 6....Qa5 winning at least 1 piece.

6. Nc4 ....

This is White's best reply, as it covers a5, and threatens 7. Nd6 mate.

6. .... d6!
7. Ba4, b5

Black forks the White Bishop and Knight, winning a piece for two pawns.

Rubinstein Trap

The Rubinstein Trap is a chess opening trap in the Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox Defense.  The trap takes its name from Akiba Rubinstein, who had the misfortune of falling into it twice.

1. d4, d5
2. Nf3, Nf6
3. c4, e6
4. Bg5, Nbd7
5. e3, Be7
6. Nc3, 0-0
7. Rc1, Re8
8. Qc2, a6
9. cxd5, exd5
10. Bd3, c6
11. 0-0, Ne4
12. Bf4, f5?
13. Nxd5 .....

White wins a pawn since 13...cxd5?? loses to 14.Bc7  trapping Black's queen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.