MiniLesson

Opening traps:
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5

Level: Intermediate

This opening trap is play frequently against novices. It can be devastating if black doesnt know
how to defend against it. But if black knows the right moves, black can turn it to their advantage.
1. e4 e5
2. Qh5 ...

The Qh5 move is unusual. It

seems careless but can be
devastating against
"########$!
an inexperienced
8
%uNwXmWnU&!
player.
7

%PpPp,pPp&!
6
%!,!,!,!,&!
Take a moment to
5
%,!,!P!,r&!
examine the posi4
%!,!,q,!,&!
tion. Ask yourself:
3
%,!,!,!,!&!
what is the threat
2
%qQqQ!QqQ&!
and how should I
1
%SoC!LcOs&!
defend myself?
a b c d e f g h
0))))))))*!
Bad black response #2:

This move also allows

2. Nf6
white a move of
3. Qxe5+ to get a free
"########$!
pawn. It also creates
8
%uNwXmW!U&!
a forcing move as
7
%PpPp,pPp&!
black must move out
6
%!,!,!N!,&!
of check. White can
5
%,!,!P!,r&!
control the board with
4
%!,!,q,!,&!
a series of attacking
3
%,!,!,!,!&!
moves and end up
2
%qQqQ!QqQ&!
with a positional and
1
%SoC!LcOs&!
piece advantage.
a b c d e f g h
0))))))))*!

Bad black response #1:

This move allows

white a move of
2. g6
3. Qxe5+ to get a free
"########$!
pawn. But it doesnt
8
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stop there. Following
7
%PpPp,p,p&!
any move to get out of
6
%!,!,!,p,&!
check, white can get
5
%,!,!P!,r&!
the rook with Qxh8.
4
%!,!,q,!,&!
3
%,!,!,!,!&!
2
%qQqQ!QqQ&!
1
%SoC!LcOs&!
a b c d e f g h
0))))))))*!

Best black response:

2. Nc6

####$!
m,nU&!
Wp,p&!
!,p,&!
R!,!&!

Ah, back to basics

A simple move that

"########$!
8
defends the pawn un%u,wXmWnU&!
7
der attack and devel%PpPp,pPp&!
6
ops the knight.
%!,n,!,!,&!
5
%,!,!P!,r&!
4
Black is out of imme%!,!,q,!,&!
diate danger but still
3
%,!,!,!,!&!
must be cautious.
2
%qQqQ!QqQ&!
1
%SoC!LcOs&!
a b c d e f g h
0))))))))*!

Next white threat:

3. Bc4

White has one more

Next white threat:
chance at Scholars
4. Qf3
mate with Qf3 (still
"########$!
hoping for Qxf7++).
8
%u,wXmWnU&!
7
%PpPp,p,p&!
%PpPp,pPp&!
The best move for
6
6
%!,n,!,p,&!
black here is Nf6.
%!,n,!,!,&!
The absolutely best
5
5
%,!,!P!,!&!
%,!,!P!,r&!
move for black here is 4
4
Notice how black suc%!,c,q,!,&!
%!,c,q,!,&!
g6. This stops the
3
3
cessfully defended
%,!,!,r,!&!
%,!,!,!,!&!
scholars Mate dead
2
2
against the trap with
%qQqQ!QqQ&!
and puts white on the %qQqQ!QqQ&!
1
careful analysis and
1
%SoC!L!Os&!
%SoC!L!Os&!
defensive.
play.
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
a b c d e f g h
0))))))))*!
0))))))))*!
Hopefully every novice will recognize this
as a potential Schol"########$!
ars Mate if white is
8
%u,wXmWnU&!
allowed Qxf7++.
7

V1.0

2008 Sand castle Productions (C.R. Beach)