Penrose Gambit

This game arose from a variation of Catalan Opening.  It was actually played by Veitch and Penrose in Buxton, 1950.

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, e6
3. Nf3, d5
4. g3, dxc4
5. Nbd2, c5
6. dxc5, Bxc5
7. Bg2 ....

7. .... Bxf2

A lightning strike!  If White declines the Bishop (8. Kf1), then Black wins by 8.....Ng4 which threatens to win the Queen with 9....Ne3.  If 9. Qa4 Bd7, 10. Qxc4 Ne3+ wins the Queen just the same.

8. Kxf2, Ng4+
9. Ke1 ....

White's other choices are equally gloomy.  If 9. Kf1 then Black wins the Queen with 10....Ne3+.  If 9. Kg1 then 9.....Qb6+ with mate to follow.

9. .... Ne3

White resigns. His Queen is lost after 10. Qa4+ Bd7, then on 11. Qa3 or Qb4, Black forks the Queen and King after 11.....Nc2+.   A fantastic attack.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Kieninger Trap

The Kieninger Trap is a combination in the Budapest Gambit, and named after German International Master Georg Kieninger, who was the first to use it effectively. This gambit offers a piece in exchange for a tricky mate. The moves are:

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, e5
3. dxe5, Ng4
4. Nf3, Nc6
5. Bf4, Bb4+
6. Nbd2, Qe7
7. a3 ....

White intends to drive the Bishop or exchange it for the Knight.  But Black lays the trap...

7. ....Ngxe5
8. Nxe5, Nxe5
9. axb4, Nd3 mate.


Another trick in Budapest Gambit runs as follows:

1. d4, Nf6
2. c4, e5
3. dxe5, Ne4
4. Nf3, d6
5. exd6, Bxd6
6. g3, Nxf2

7. Kxf2, Bxg3

White loses his Queen.

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