Scholar's Mate: The Copycat Trap
Spot the mistake, then find the punishment
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 7
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
The temptation
3...Nf6 is the move that springs the trap. Attacking an early queen usually gains a tempo. Black expects the queen to retreat and overlooks its partnership with the c4 bishop.
Why it works
4.Qxf7# captures the pawn that was protected only by the king. The bishop on c4 protects the queen on f7, so ...Kxf7 is illegal. The queen controls e8, e7, d7 and f8, and Black's own queen blocks d8. Developing ...Nf6 is too slow: an attack on the queen does not oblige it to retreat when it has a mating move. Spot the battery on c4–f7 before choosing a routine developing move.
Two attackers, one vulnerable pawn
The queen checks from f7 and the c4 bishop protects it. Black's king cannot capture the queen or find a legal flight.
How to avoid it
After 3.Bc4, play 3...g6 to block the queen's diagonal, then meet 4.Qf3 with ...Nf6. Check f7 threats before chasing the queen.
The opening behind it
Learn the sound version of this line and the trick stops being tempting.