Magnus Smith Trap

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 pd d6 pd e6 f6 nd g6 pd h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 pl f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 bl d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 nl d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 g1 h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Position after 8.e5!

The Magnus Smith Trap is a chess opening trap in the Sicilian Defence, named after three-time Canadian chess champion Magnus Smith (1869–1934).

The trap occurs in the Sozin Variation, beginning with the moves

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 Nc6
6. Bc4

This is the Sozin (or Fischer) Variation of the Sicilian Defense. A common response is 6...e6, to make White's bishop on c4 "bite on granite". By playing 6...g6?!, Black falls into the trap.

6. ... g6?!
7. Nxc6 bxc6
8. e5!

(See diagram.) Black is in a bad way. After 8...Nh5?, Bobby Fischer gives 9.Qf3! e6 (9...d5 10.Nxd5!) 10.g4 Ng7 11.Ne4 Qa5+ (11...d5 12.Nf6+ Ke7 13.Qa3+) 12.Bd2 Qxe5 13.Bc3 and Black's queen is trapped. Preferable alternatives are 8...Ng4 9.e6 f5, and Black eventually managed to draw in Schlechter-Lasker, World Championship (7) 1910 and 8...d5 9.exf6 dxc4 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.Bg5 Be6 12.0-0-0+ Ke8, and Black ultimately even won in Rosen-Burn, Paris 1990.

The move Black actually chooses leads to instant disaster.

8. ... dxe5??
9. Bxf7+

White wins Black's queen after 9...Kxf7 10.Qxd8.

[edit] References