Chess opening traps
23 traps that still catch club players, each played out on a board. Every move is legal and every result is confirmed by Stockfish: the trap really wins, and the page shows the one move that walks into it.
A trap only works if the other side makes a natural-looking mistake, so each page also shows how to avoid it. Learn both sides: the traps you set and the ones set for you.
Traps for White
Légal's MatePhilidor Defense · 13 pliesMagnus Smith TrapSicilian Defense · 19 pliesPetrov Defense queen trapPetrov's Defense · 9 pliesScholar's MateKing's Pawn Game · 7 pliesCaro-Kann smothered mateCaro-Kann Defense · 11 pliesFrench Advance Bb5+ trapFrench Defense · 17 pliesTarrasch TrapRuy Lopez · 27 pliesDutch Defense Bg6 mateDutch Defense · 15 pliesHalosar TrapBlackmar-Diemer Gambit · 17 pliesVienna Game Qxf7 mateVienna Game · 9 plies
Traps for Black
Blackburne Shilling Gambit trapItalian Game · 14 pliesFishing Pole TrapRuy Lopez · 16 pliesElephant TrapQueen's Gambit Declined · 18 pliesLasker TrapQueen's Gambit Declined · 18 pliesNoah's Ark TrapRuy Lopez · 22 pliesSiberian TrapSicilian Defense · 20 pliesEnglund Gambit TrapEnglund Gambit · 16 pliesKieninger TrapIndian Defense · 16 pliesFool's MateBarnes Opening · 4 pliesStafford Gambit Bg5 trapRussian Game · 16 pliesFrom's Gambit trapBird Opening · 12 pliesFajarowicz Gambit ...Nxf2 trapIndian Defense · 16 pliesKing's Gambit ...Bc5 Qh4+ trapKing's Gambit Declined · 10 plies