Tarrasch Trap

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Tarrasch Trap refers to two different chess opening traps in the Ruy Lopez that are named for Siegbert Tarrasch. Unlike many variations that appear only in analysis, Tarrasch actually sprung his traps against masters in tournament games.

[edit] Tarrasch Trap in the Open Variation

Tarrasch Trap in the Open Variation
Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Image:chess_zver_26.png
a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8
a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2
a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1
Image:chess_zver_26.png
Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Position after 11...Qd7?
White wins a piece

Two masters actually fell for this trap against Tarrasch: Zukertort at Frankfurt in 1887 and Gunsberg at Manchester in 1890.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Nxe4

This is the Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez.

6. d4 b5
7. Bb3 d5
8. dxe5 Be6
9. c3 Be7
10. Re1 0-0
11. Nd4 Qd7?

Falling into the trap (see diagram).

12. Nxe6

Black's pawn on d5 will be pinned no matter how he recaptures. After 12...Qxe6 or 12...fxe6 White wins a piece with 13.Rxe4.

[edit] Tarrasch Trap in the Steinitz Variation

Tarrasch Trap in the Steinitz Variation
Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Image:chess_zver_26.png
a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8
a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2
a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1
Image:chess_zver_26.png
Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Position after 7.Re1.
Now 7...0-0? falls into the trap

The second Tarrasch Trap occurs in the Steinitz Variation. Tarrasch published analysis of this trap in 1891, but 18 months later Marco fell into it in Tarrasch–Marco Dresden 1892. Tarrasch spent just 5 minutes of thinking for the whole game.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 d6

This is the Steinitz Variation of the Ruy Lopez.

4. d4 Bd7

Black breaks the pin to meet the threat of 5.d5.

5. Nc3 Nf6
6. O-O Be7
7. Re1

Laying a subtle trap (see diagram). Castling seems natural for Black, but instead 7...exd4 is better.

7. ... O-O?
8. Bxc6 Bxc6
9. dxe5 dxe5
10. Qxd8 Raxd8
11. Nxe5

Black's best move here is probably 11...Bd7, although White would remain a pawn ahead.

11. ... Bxe4
12. Nxe4 Nxe4

Now 13.Rxe4?? would be a horrible blunder as Black would checkmate with 13...Rd1+ 14. Re1 Rxe1#. White blocks that possibility with his next move, making the threat real against the black knight on e4.

13. Nd3 f5

The black knight can't move because of the pin against the bishop on e7.

14. f3 Bc5+
15. Nxc5 Nxc5
16. Bg5 Rd5
17. Be7 Re8
18. c4

White wins at least the exchange, so Marco resigned.

[edit] References

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