8/20/2019 Opening Trap - 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5

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This opening trap is play frequently against novices. It can be devastating if black doesn’t know

how to defend against it. But if black knows the right moves, black can turn it to their advantage.

Opening traps:1. e4 e5 2. Qh5

Mini-Lesson

Level: Intermediate

 © 2008 Sand castle Productions (C.R. Beach) V1.0

The Qh5 move is unusual. Itseems careless but can be

devastating againstan inexperiencedplayer.

Take a moment toexamine the posi-tion. Ask yourself:

what is the threatand how should Idefend myself?

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1. e4 e52. Qh5  ...

This move allowswhite a move of3. Qxe5+ to get a freepawn. But it doesn’tstop there. Followingany move to get out ofcheck, white can getthe rook with Qxh8.

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Bad black response #2:

2. … Nf6 

Bad black response #1:

2. … g6 

This move also allowswhite a move of3. Qxe5+ to get a freepawn. It also createsa forcing move asblack must move outof check. White can

control the board witha series of attackingmoves and end upwith a positional andpiece advantage.

Best black response:

2. … Nc6  Ah, back to basics…

A simple move thatdefends the pawn un-der attack and devel-ops the knight.

Black is out of imme-diate danger but stillmust be cautious.

Next white threat:3. Bc4 

Hopefully every nov-ice will recognize thisas a potential Schol-ars Mate if white is

allowed Qxf7++.

The absolutely bestmove for black here isg6. This stops thescholars Mate deadand puts white on thedefensive.

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Next white threat:4. Qf3 

White has one morechance at Scholarsmate with Qf3 (stillhoping for Qxf7++).

The best move forblack here is Nf6.

Notice how black suc-cessfully defendedagainst the trap withcareful analysis andplay.

8/20/2019 Opening Trap - 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5

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