chess checkmate - tag

Lasker’s Trap can be very powerful weapon for Black in Albin Counter gambit variation. The unusual though very powerful feature of Lasker Trap is underpromotion on seventh move. It is a good idea to use this opening in quick games since it is not very often played and your opponent most likely would be unprepared […]

Legal’s Trap also known as Legal’s Mate often arises in shown or similar positions. In this example it works like an opening trap for Philidor’s Defense. White pseudo-sacrifices the queen and mates by 3 minor pieces. The trap is named after Sire de Légal (1702-1792) who was a French player, or Joseph Henry Blackburne (1841-1924), […]

Unlike Fool’s mate, Scholar’s mate often occurs in games of beginners. The main idea of Scholar’s mate is that “f7” square is weak since it’s being protected by the king alone. Remember, I told you that it is unwise to rely on traps in serious games? Scholar’s mate is a perfect example to show that. […]

Fool’s mate is the quickest mate in the game of chess possible: in just 2 moves. Even in the games of beginners it rarely occurs. Now you know why it isn’t wise to start the game with 1.f3. It weakens White’s kingside in major way. Fool’s Mate just exploits this weakness right away.