Nisimura Trap

The following game was played by NISIMURA (White) and MARCO (Black) at the 1982 Olympics.

1. e4, c6
2. Nf3, d5
3. Nc3, dxe4
4. Nxe4, Nbd7

Until now, the moves are specific to the Caro-Kann Defense.  But White sets a trap at the next move.

5. Qe2, Ngf6
6. Nd6 mate

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The Staunton Gambit

In some ways similar to From's Gambit, the game runs as follows:

1. d4, f5
2. e4, fxe4
3. Nc3, d5

If 3.... Nf6, then 4. Bg5 still putting pressure on the d5 square, and indirectly on the e4 pawn. Now, if Black plays the correct 4....Nc6, then the game may continue: 5. Bxf6 exf6.  White should avoid 6. Nxe4 because of 6.....Qe7 winning material.

4. Qh5+, g6
5. Qxd5, Qxd5
6. Nxd5, Kd8
7. Bf4 ....

Black has no way of salvaging his c-pawn or his Rook.

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Owen's Defense

Rarely played, the Owen's Defense has been discovered to be tactically flawed.  It runs as follows:

1. e4, b6
2. d4, Bb7
3. Bd3, f5

Black offers the pawn as a gambit, which in fact is a losing move.

4. exf5, Bxg2
5. Qh5+, g6
6. fxg6, Nf6

Black intends to drive the Queen away, an underestimation of White's attacking strength.

7. gxh7+, Nxh5
8. Bg6+ mate.

If you want to see brilliant gamses of chess, you may go to  Brilliant Chess Games.

Royal Surrender

In this variation of the Modern Defense, White takes advantage of Black's constricted position and the vulnerability of the f7 pawn.

1. e4, g6
2. d4, Bg7
3. Nf3, d6
4. Bc4, Nd7??

The losing move. White jumps quickly on the vulnerable f7 pawn.

5. Bxf7 ....

5. .... Kxf7

Black captures the Bishop on what seems to be a correct reply.  But it would be wiser not to take the offer: 5....Kf8, 6. Ng5 Nb6, 7. Qf3, f6 and White's attack would slowly fizzle out.

6. Ng5+!! ....

The timebomb!  The King cannot retreat to e8 or f8 because of the threat 7. Ne6. The King has no choice but to come forward and surrender.

6. .... Kf6
7. Qf3+ mate

If you want to see brilliant gamses of chess, you may go to  Brilliant Chess Games.

Legal's Trap

This game features a daring Queen sacrifice.  The moves are:

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, d6
3. Bc4, Bg4
4. Nc3, g6?
5. Nxe5!, Bxd1
6. Bxf7+. Ke7
7. Ne5 mate.

If you want to see brilliant gamses of chess, you may go to  Brilliant Chess Games.

Lasker's Trap (Albin Counter Gambit)

This is one of the most popular tricks and runs as follows:

1. d4, d5
2. c4, e5
3. dxe5,d4
4. e3? ....

White should play 4. Nf3 in order to put pressure on the Queen's pawn.

4. .... Bb4+
5. Bd2, dxe3!

6. Bxb4? ....

White might fare better if 6. Qa4+ Nc6, 7. fxe3 Qh4+, 8. Kd1 (not 8. g3 because of 8....Qe4) Qf2, etc.

6..... exf2+
7. Ke2, exg1=N+
8. Rxg1, Bg4+

and Black captures the Queen on d1.

If you want to see brilliant gamses of chess, you may go to  Brilliant Chess Games.

Jailbird Queen

 This game is a variation of the English Defense.

1. c4, b6
2. Nc3, Bb7
3. e4, e6
4. Nf3, Bb4
5. Qb3, Na6
6. a3, Nc5!
7. Qxb4, a5
8. Qb5, c6!

The Queen is trapped.  White should not have captured the Bishop and instead played 7. Qc2, and the game may continue 7.....Bxc3, 8. Qxc3 Nxe4, 9. Qxg7 Qf6, etc.

If you want to see brilliant gamses of chess, you may go to  Brilliant Chess Games.

The Scholar's Mate

1. e4, e5
2. Qh5, Nc6
3. Bc4, Nf6
4. Qxf7 mate.

It is incredible to note how many players fall into this trap, especially in Internet chess servers.

If you want to see brilliant gamses of chess, you may go to  Brilliant Chess Games.

The Fool's Mate

This is one of the oldest tricks on record and only a player with little or no knowledge of chess theories would do it. The moves are:

1. f4, e6
2. g4, Qh4 mate

If you want to see brilliant gamses of chess, you may go to  Brilliant Chess Games.