How a trap works
A trap isn't a move that threatens something directly. It's a move that tempts the opponent into a mistake. Usually the mistake looks like the most natural move on the board: taking a piece that is hanging, chasing a piece away with a pawn, or castling in peace.
On each page we show the trap move by move, why the move is so easy to play, what to play instead and how it ends. Where our numbers reach, we also tell you how often it happens in real games between club players. And on the board under Try it you get to spring the trap yourself.
Every move has been checked against the rules of chess, and every claim that something wins or loses has been checked with a chess computer. Some of the classic traps in old books don't hold up, and we have left those out.
Open games: 1.e4 e5
Ruy Lopez
Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation
The Fishing Pole trap
The bishop on g4 is the bait. If White takes it, the h-file opens toward the king.
Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Defense
The Tarrasch Trap
Black castles too early, and White wins first a pawn, then the exchange.
Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense
The Mortimer Trap
The pawn on e5 looks free, but after …c6 and …Qa5+ White loses a piece.
On the page about the Ruy Lopez
Noah's Ark
Wins material.
Italian Game
Petrov's Defense
King's Gambit
Scotch Game
Evans Gambit
Two Knights Defense
Vienna Game
Semi-open games: Black answers 1.e4 with something other than 1…e5
Sicilian Defense
Caro-Kann Defense
Closed games: 1.d4
Englund Gambit
Queen's Gambit
Albin Countergambit
The Lasker Trap
White takes the bishop, and Black's pawn becomes a knight with check on g1.
Queen's Gambit Declined, Cambridge Springs Defense
The Cambridge Springs trap
A natural 9.Bd3, and Black wins a piece with an in-between move.
Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox Defense
The Rubinstein Trap
White takes on d5, and if Black recaptures, the bishop traps the queen on c7.
On the page about the Queen's Gambit
The Elephant Trap
Wins material.
Budapest Gambit
Blackmar–Diemer Gambit
Dutch Defense
Grünfeld Defense
Catalan Opening
The mates in the opening
Three of the opening's traps end in a mating pattern with a name of its own. They have their pages among the checkmate patterns.
Frequently asked questions
What is an opening trap?
A move or sequence of moves in the opening where the natural reply loses. The trap relies on the opponent doing what looks right, such as taking a piece that seems free or chasing a piece away with tempo.
Should you play openings for their traps?
Rarely. Many of the famous traps come from openings that are worse with best play, such as the Englund Gambit and the Stafford Gambit. Knowing the traps is worth most to the player who has to avoid them.
How do you avoid traps?
Ask what your opponent's last move threatens, and what happens if you take what is offered. A piece that looks free is often bait. And a pinned piece can still move, even if it costs the queen.
Updated November 14, 2026