Hi all,

Time for another chess opening trap!
This time around we will take a look at a trap from the old and tried Russian Defense.
It is useful to study the typical tactical patterns that make this trap possible.
Be aware of someone playing this against you in a blitz game f.i., the losing move is readily made!

Click on the moves below to start playing and show a chess board:

[pgn_compat]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nc6 $6 {A tricky but dubious move.} (3… d6 {
leads to the main line of course.}) 4. Nxc6 dxc6 5. e5 $14 (5. d3 $14 {is also
fine.}) 5… Ne4 $6 {In order to really set the trap, Black has to play
another dubious move.} (5… Nd5 {keeps White’s advantage within boundaries.})
6. d3 $4 {This is a very easy mistake to make…} (6. d4 $16 Qh4 7. Be3 {and
White easily repels Black’s pseudo attack.}) 6… Bc5 $1 {This couterttack is
the beautiful punishment. The threat to f2 cannot be parried witout serious
concessions or material loss.} 7. Be3 {Relatively best.} (7. dxe4 $4 {This loses
the queen to some well known tactical patterns:} Bxf2+ 8. Ke2 (8. Kxf2 Qxd1)
8… Bg4+ $19) (7. Qh5 g6 8. Qf3 Nxf2 9. Rg1 Nxd3+ 10. Bxd3 Bxg1 $19) 7… Bxe3
8. fxe3 (8. Qe2 Bxf2+ 9. Kd1 Bd4 10. Qxe4 (10. c3 Bg4) 10… Bxb2 $19) 8…
Qh4+ 9. g3 (9. Ke2 $4 Qf2#) 9… Nxg3 10. hxg3 Qxh1 $19 *
[/pgn_compat]