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.