Siberian Trap
Spot the mistake, then find the punishment
Starting positionWhite to move
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The temptation
9.h3 is the move that springs the trap. h3 attacks the g4 knight and looks like a useful consolidating move. White expects it to retreat instead of receiving support from the other knight.
Why it works
9...Nd4 attacks the queen on e2 and clears c7–h2. The tempting 10.Nxd4 removes the knight but also vacates f3, allowing 10...Qh2#. The g4 knight protects h2, so the king cannot capture the queen. White is not forced to take on d4: the displayed mate is the trap's punishment for that natural reply, while ...Nd4 itself already gives Black a strong attack. h3 does not unguard g2; the mechanism is clearance of the queen's diagonal.
Two knight moves clear the mating diagonal
Nc6–d4 and Nf3xd4 clear c7–d6–e5–f4–g3–h2. Ng4 protects the queen on h2 when it delivers mate.
How to avoid it
Before h3, consider 9.Nb5 to challenge the queen on c7. Once ...Nd4 appears, do not automatically play Nxd4; 10.hxg4 avoids this immediate mate and keeps the f3 blocker in place.
The opening behind it
Learn the sound version of this line and the trick stops being tempting.