List of chess traps

In chess, a trap is a move which tempts the opponent to play a bad move. Traps are common in all phases of the game; in the opening, some traps have occurred often enough that they have acquired names. If the opponent sees through the trap, it can backfire.

Ordered by chess opening:

• Albin Countergambit: Lasker Trap
• Blackmar–Diemer Gambit: Halosar Trap
• Bogo-Indian Defence: Monticelli Trap
• Budapest Gambit: Kieninger Trap
• Englund Gambit Trap
• Italian Game: Blackburne Shilling Gambit
• Petrov's Defence: Marshall Trap
• Philidor Defence: Légal Trap
• Queen's Gambit Declined:
  • Elephant Trap
  • Rubinstein Trap
• Ruy Lopez:
  • Mortimer Trap
  • Noah's Ark Trap
  • Tarrasch Trap
  • Fishing Pole Trap
• Sicilian Defence:
  • Magnus Smith Trap
  • Siberian Trap
• Vienna Gambit: Würzburger Trap

• Gambit
• Fool's mate
• Scholar's mate
• Swindle (chess)