How to Fool Your Opponent

Traps are a large part of the game of Chess. Whether you've fallen into them or set some yourself, you know the satisfaction of thinking you are clever.

Take this example: Black has just captured a pawn on g4. Why is this a bad move?

Tactical tricks like this are a big part of improving as a chess player: they train you to look one move deeper and teach you a lot of important tactical patterns.

However, sometimes the trap has a loophole. Take this position that arises from the Tarrasch French:

In the above position, Black's most common move is 13...0-0. However, they do have an interesting alternative in 13...Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Qxd4, when play usually continues 15. Nb5 Qe5, when White has sacrificed their last central pawn, but does gain a lot of activity and time because of the exposed position of Black's queen.

However, my more experienced readers will look at the position after 13...Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Qxd4 and ask, "Can't White just win a queen with 15. Bg6+?".

And now I ask you, does 15. Bg6+ actually win a queen?

This not the only type of trap you can fall into. Take this example, where Black can win a knight - or is it that simple?

Notice how we've been refuting these tricks so far - by looking further into the position and asking questions, we notice resources that our opponent misses (or just hope you didn't see). Here's one more example to hit the point home: 

Of course, this is all highly dependent on the position itself, but just trying to look further is already a huge leap in progress. All of this comes back to a mindset of insistence - courtesy of IM Jeremy Silman - which is one big thing that distinguishes the 2200 from a titled player.

Of course, there are going to be missed opportunities - take this, which is "falling for the trick" taken to its absolute extreme:

This was actually played in the game, but Black's moves seemed almost inhuman - playing a move like that not only takes good calculation; it also takes good intuition.

Okay, most positions aren't going to be that extreme, so let's see how well you can fall into your opponent's trap in the following puzzles.

This set of positions I'll show are going to be quite difficult - these are not going to be set as puzzles, as I will be asking you a question based on a certain move. The questions are below each of the boards.

Is 37. Rd7 winning?

In this position, Black played 31...Qe6. What do you think of this move?

Is 16...Rxd4 winning?

Does 7. Nxe5 win material?

20. Nd4, yes or no?