Chess Opening Traps

These are the opening traps players search for most. Each page shows the trap move by move on an animated board, explains why it works, and gives you the exact defence so it never works on you.

• Beginner · set by White · Italian GameScholar's MateScholar's Mate is the four-move checkmate on f7 with queen and bishop. See how it works and the two simple moves that stop it for good.1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Qh5 Nf6 … →
• Beginner · set by BlackFool's MateFool's Mate is the fastest checkmate in chess: two moves. Learn which pawn moves allow it and why the e1–h4 diagonal matters.1.f3 e5 2.g4 Qh4# →
• Club · set by White · Italian GameFried Liver AttackThe Fried Liver Attack is a knight sacrifice on f7 in the Two Knights Defense. See the attack and how to counter it with 5…Na5.1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 … →
• Beginner · set by BlackEnglund Gambit TrapThe Englund Gambit trap (1.d4 e5) ends in a queen mate on c1 if White plays the natural 4.Bf4. See the trap and the safe 4.Qd5.1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 … →
• Club · set by Black · Petrov DefenseStafford GambitThe Stafford Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6) is full of traps, including a queen sacrifice and mate. See the main trap and the safe 6.Be2.1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6 … →
• Club · set by White · Four Knights GameHalloween GambitThe Halloween Gambit sacrifices a knight on e5 in the Four Knights Game. It looks scary, but 7…d5 leaves Black better. See the attack and the defence.1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 … →
• Club · set by Black · Queen's GambitElephant TrapThe Elephant Trap in the Queen's Gambit Declined punishes 6.Nxd5 with …Nxd5! and …Bb4+, winning a piece. See the trap and how White avoids it.1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 … →
• Beginner · set by WhiteBongcloud OpeningThe Bongcloud (1.e4 e5 2.Ke2) is chess’s most famous joke opening. Why it is bad, how to punish it, and the day world champions played it.1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 →