Trap #1: The Blackburne Shilling Gambit (Italian Game)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nd4!?

Black plays a very provocative move. It looks like a mistake because the e5-pawn is hanging. Most beginners will take it immediately.

4. Nxe5? Qg5!

The Double Attack! White’s Knight and the g2-pawn are both hanging. If White tries to be greedy with 5. Nxf7, Black plays 5... Qxg2. After 6. Rf1 Qxe4+ 7. Be2, Black finishes with the beautiful smothered mate: 7... Nf3#

Trap #2: The Kostić Trap (Queen's Gambit Declined)

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7

Black seems to have blundered a pawn due to the pin on the Knight. But it's a famous bait.

5. cxd5 exd5 6. Nxd5??

White thinks they won a free pawn. But wait... 6... Nxd5!. If White takes the Queen with 7. Bxd8, Black delivers a devastating check: 7... Bb4+. White's only move is 8. Qd2, and after 8... Bxd2+ 9. Kxd2 Kxd8, Black is up a full piece. White fell for the 'Elephant Trap'!

Trap #3: The Legal Trap (The Italian Squeeze)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 d6 4. Nc3 Bg4

The pin on the f3 Knight looks annoying for White. But White can ignore it entirely!

5. h3 Bh5 6. Nxe5!! brilliant

A shocking Queen sacrifice! If Black takes the Queen 6... Bxd1??, the game ends instantly: 7. Bxf7+ Ke7 8. Nd5#. A masterpiece of coordination using only two Knights and a Bishop!

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