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The Lasker Trap

The pawn on f2 captures with check and under-promotes to a knight with check.

Opening: Albin Countergambit. Set by Black. Level: Intermediate.

Practise setting and escaping it

The moves

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3 6.Bxb4 exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1=N+

The mistake: White plays Bxb4 (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3 6.Bxb4)

It only works after a mistake

White must play Bxb4 for it to work. The Albin Countergambit is risky but playable; the trap needs White to take the bishop.

Final position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3 6.Bxb4 exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1=N+

How to avoid it

fxe3 instead of taking the bishop.

Practise setting and escaping it