Chess Openings Lab
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Fajarowicz Gambit ...Nxf2 trap

In the Fajarowicz Gambit, 6.g3 allows the knight to jump into f2. If White takes it with 7.Kxf2, the bishop takes on g3 with check and uncovers the black queen on d8 against the white queen on d1.

Opening
Budapest Gambit
Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ne4 4.Nf3 d6 5.exd6 Bxd6 6.g3 Nxf2 7.Kxf2 Bxg3+ 8.Kg1 Bxh2+
Set by
Black
The mistake
7.Kxf2
Checked
every move legal; result confirmed by Stockfish 17.1

How the trap works

The Fajarowicz is a sharp version of the Budapest Gambit: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ne4. After 4.Nf3 d6 5.exd6 Bxd6, the black bishop and queen stand on the d-file. The bishop on d6 is the only piece between the black queen on d8 and the white queen on d1.

White's natural 6.g3, preparing to fianchetto, is the first slip. The evaluation swings to Black, because the pawn on g3 is now a target for the bishop and f2 is weak.

  • 6...Nxf2! forks the queen on d1 and the rook on h1.
  • 7.Kxf2? is the mistake. Taking the knight looks natural, but it leaves the queen exposed.
  • 7...Bxg3+ is a discovered attack. The bishop takes the pawn with check, and by leaving d6 it opens the d-file, so the queen on d8 now attacks the queen on d1.
  • 8.Kg1 answers the check, and 8...Bxh2+ grabs another pawn with check while the white queen is still attacked.

White must deal with each check, so there is never a free move to save the queen. Taking the bishop does not help either, since the d-file stays open.

The tactical idea is a discovered attack with check. Any check by the front piece of a battery gives the back piece a free shot.

The exact moment it goes wrong is 7.Kxf2, after 6.g3 had already weakened the kingside. White should save the queen first. Qd4 is one way: it moves the queen with an attack on the knight on f2. White is still worse, but the queen is safe.

The lesson is to watch for a lone piece standing between two queens on a file. If it can move with check, the queen behind your line is the target.

How White avoids it

White should move the queen first, for example Qd4, which also attacks the knight on f2. White is worse after 6.g3, but saving the queen keeps the game going.

Questions

How does the Fajarowicz Gambit ...Nxf2 trap work?

The bishop on d6 is the only piece between the queens on the d-file. After 7.Kxf2 Bxg3+, the bishop gives check and opens the d-file at the same time. White must handle the check, and the queen on d1 is left hanging.

What is the losing move in the Fajarowicz Gambit ...Nxf2 trap?

White's mistake is 7.Kxf2. White should move the queen first, for example Qd4, which also attacks the knight on f2. White is worse after 6.g3, but saving the queen keeps the game going.

Is the Fajarowicz Gambit ...Nxf2 trap worth playing for?

Yes as a practical try for Black. The evaluations stay close to level until 6.g3, and that natural fianchetto move is what lets the trap work.

Where it comes from

More opening traps