A beginner's mistake

This is a game i played today and quickly lost it. i just totally missed the big plan behind white's moves. Is this a well known tactic?

It's refered to as Legal's mate, and it first happened 300 yrs ago, so you aren't the first victim and you certainly won't be the last.

This is how it was originally played.

Thank you, good to know i'm not the first victim ;)

It probably stings falling victim to a quick mate like that, but of all the ways to go, that's one of the prettiest, isn't it?

Just gotta make sure it doesn't happen again. ;)

THAT MATE IS AWESOME!! a friend of mine, iluvburpees to be specific, did this to some unfortunate sapp, and it was hilarious. I think that he had just read it out of a book, and then it happened.

Hi Al-Maskari. Welcome to the Wild Knights!

4...Nf6 is better!

After 4...Bg4, your opponent spared you the f-pawn and could have disrupted your kingside castle, but instead he realized he had something better.

Hi KnightPawn28,

Indeed Nf6 was better. Also leaving the e-pawn undefended was a bad mistake.

Thanks to all for your comments.