Stafford Gambit
Club · set by Black
The Stafford Gambit is a trappy line of the Petrov Defense: Black gives up the e5 pawn for fast development and sets traps on almost every move.
Its most famous trap ends with Black sacrificing the queen and mating with two bishops. With calm defence White is clearly better.
How the trap works
16 / 16
Bg4#. Two bishops and a knight mate the king on e2.
1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.
- ▸Black’s bishop on c5 and knight on f6 both aim at f2.
- ▸If White pins the knight with Bg5, …Nxe4 ignores the pin because the king is in danger.
- ▸Bxf2+ and Bg4 complete the mating net.
How to stop it
13 / 13
c3 prepares d4, gaining space and shutting the bishop out (engine: about +2.6 for White).
1.2.3.4.5.6.7.
Play 5.d3 (or 5.Nc3) and 6.Be2, then c3 and d4. Do not pin with Bg5 and do not castle into …h5–h4 ideas too early.
Every Stafford trap relies on f2 or the pin on the e-file. Cover those and you are simply a pawn up.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Stafford Gambit sound?
- No. With accurate play White keeps the extra pawn and a large advantage. It is popular online because of its traps.
- How do you beat the Stafford Gambit?
- After 4.Nxc6 dxc6, play 5.d3, 6.Be2 and c3–d4. Avoid Bg5 and keep f2 covered.
More traps
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