Blackburne Shilling Gambit Trap
Spot the mistake, then find the punishment
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 14
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
The temptation
5.Nxf7 is the move that springs the trap. The knight on f7 threatens the h8 rook. White expects Black to save that valuable piece, giving time to deal with the kingside.
Why it works
5...Qxg2 ignores the fork and threatens the h1 rook. In the illustrated continuation, 6.Rf1 Qxe4+ 7.Be2 Nf3# produces a smothered mate. White's own queen on d1, rook on f1 and bishop on e2 occupy the king's flights; the e4 queen covers d2 and f2. Nxe5 already permits a dangerous double attack with ...Qg5, but Nxf7 specifically abandons the defence against Black's queen invasion.
A fork is slower than a mating attack
The knight checks from f3, protected by the e4 queen. Own pieces block d1, f1 and e2; the queen covers d2 and f2.
How to avoid it
After 3...Nd4, 4.Nxd4 exd4 5.O-O avoids the queen attack. If ...Qg5 has appeared, defend the kingside rather than automatically playing the fork.
The opening behind it
Learn the sound version of this line and the trick stops being tempting.