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Chess opening traps and how to avoid them

Every trap here depends on the opponent making a mistake. Knowing them helps you avoid falling into one, and spot the chance when an opponent errs. None of them is a guaranteed win against careful play.

• Fool's MateBarnes Opening (1.f3) · Beginner
• Scholar's MateItalian / King's Pawn · Beginner
• Legal's MatePhilidor Defence · Intermediate
• Blackburne Shilling TrapItalian Game · Intermediate
• Petrov Queen TrapPetrov Defence · Intermediate
• Caro-Kann Smothered MateCaro-Kann Defence · Intermediate
• Damiano Defence TrapDamiano Defence · Intermediate
• Queen's Gambit Accepted TrapQueen's Gambit Accepted · Intermediate
• Elephant TrapQueen's Gambit Declined · Intermediate
• Lasker TrapAlbin Countergambit · Intermediate
• Englund Gambit TrapEnglund Gambit · Intermediate
• Bird Opening TrapFrom's Gambit · Intermediate
• Noah's Ark TrapRuy Lopez · Intermediate
• Siberian TrapSmith-Morra Gambit · Intermediate
• Kieninger TrapBudapest Gambit · Intermediate
• Stafford Gambit TrapStafford Gambit · Intermediate
• Fried Liver AttackTwo Knights Defence (Italian Game) · Intermediate

Open the trap library