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The Stafford Gambit Trap

The queen is offered; taking it lets the bishops and knight mate the king.

Opening: Stafford Gambit. Set by Black. Level: Intermediate.

Practise setting and escaping it

The moves

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6 4.Nxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bc5 6.Bg5 Nxe4 7.Bxd8 Bxf2+ 8.Ke2 Bg4#

The mistake: White plays Bxd8 (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6 4.Nxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bc5 6.Bg5 Nxe4 7.Bxd8)

It only works after a mistake

White must play Bxd8 for it to work. The Stafford Gambit is unsound against correct play. It wins only if White takes the bait.

Final position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6 4.Nxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bc5 6.Bg5 Nxe4 7.Bxd8 Bxf2+ 8.Ke2 Bg4#

How to avoid it

dxe4 or Be3 instead of taking the queen.

Practise setting and escaping it