Spring the trap.
A gambit gives something away to get something better. A trap tempts your opponent into a move that looks good and isn’t. Learn these so you can use them, and so you never fall for them yourself.
- Sharpening
- Lesson 6 of 8
- 2 videos · 15 boards
Gambit videos
Two short videos to start: an aggressive gambit for White, and ten ways to trap your opponent’s queen.
Play video: The Blackmar Gambit
Play video: 10 ways to trap your opponent’s queen
Five traps against 1.d4
If your opponent opens with the queen’s pawn, these lines can win material fast. Step through each one, then try the key move yourself.
Trap 1: the queen takes the rook
Old Benoni trap
Find it
Trap 2: bishop and knight mate
English, symmetrical
Find the mate
Trap 3: win the white queen
Englund (Charlick) Gambit
Win the queen
Trap 4: the Elephant Trap
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Spring the trap
Trap 5: the queen raid
Queen’s Indian
Englund Gambit
An ambitious (and slightly dodgy) gambit. Black gives up the e-pawn, then brings the queen out early to attack the queenside. The critical moment comes after 5…Qxb2.
Englund Gambit trap
The final blow
Fried Liver Attack
One of the most aggressive ideas for White: you sacrifice a knight very early. It comes from the Italian Game when Black defends with the Two Knights and recaptures on d5 with the knight.
Sacrifice!
The full line
Fishing Pole
One of the hardest traps not to fall into. White has lots of chances to take the bait, and Black just waits. If White never bites, Black develops normally and still has a good game.
Fishing Pole trap
Reel it in
Try it over the board on Saturday.
Our coaches go through these ideas in every session. Bring your questions, and your notation sheet.