Noah's Ark Trap

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

The Noah's Ark Trap is a chess opening trap in the Ruy Lopez. The name is actually used to describe a family of traps in the Ruy Lopez in which a white bishop is trapped on the b3-square by black pawns.

The origin of the name is uncertain. The shape of the black pawns on a6, b5, and c4 may resemble an ark, or the name may suggest that the trap is "old as Noah's Ark".

Here's an example of the trap from a tournament game:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 d6
5. d4(?)

Better moves for White are 5.c3, 5.Bxc6+, and 5.0-0.

5. ... b5
6. Bb3 Nxd4
7. Nxd4 exd4
8. Qxd4??

Alexander Alekhine recommended this move in the tournament book for New York 1924 as a means for White to draw, but it is a mistake that loses material. Endre Steiner fell into this trap against José Capablanca at the Budapest tournament in 1929. White should instead play 8.Bd5 or try a gambit with 8.c3.

8. ... c5
9. Qd5 Be6
10. Qc6+ Bd7
11. Qd5 c4

(See diagram.) Black traps White's bishop.

[edit] References

Languages