OPENING TRAP
Kieninger Trap: A knight on d3 mates a king that grabs a bishop
The Kieninger Trap is a trap in the Budapest Gambit. A knight on d3 mates a king that grabs a bishop. Checkmate on move 8, with a knight.
The moves
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bb4+ 6. Nbd2 Qe7 7. a3 Ngxe5 8. axb4?? Nd3#
The final position is checkmate.
- 1. d4 White starts with the queen’s pawn.
- 1... Nf6 You develop and keep an eye on the e4 square.
- 2. c4 White claims more space.
- 2... e5 The Budapest Gambit: you offer a pawn for activity.
- 3. dxe5 White takes the pawn.
- 3... Ng4 The knight attacks the pawn on e5.
- 4. Bf4 White defends the pawn.
- 4... Nc6 A second attacker joins on e5.
- 5. Nf3 White defends again.
- 5... Bb4+ Check! White has to block or move the king.
- 6. Nbd2 White blocks with the knight.
- 6... Qe7 The queen takes aim down the e-file, behind the pawn on e2.
- 7. a3 White attacks your bishop.
- 7... Ngxe5 You take e5. Your knight now stands between your queen and the e2 pawn. When it moves, that pawn is pinned to the king.
- 8. axb4?? White takes the bishop. It is a blunder.
- 8... Nd3# Nd3 is checkmate. The knight left the e-file, so the e2 pawn is pinned and cannot take it, and the king has no free square.
How to avoid it
As White, answer 7...Ngxe5 with 8.Nxe5 instead of grabbing the bishop on b4.
Practise it
In Trap Academy you watch this lesson, then play the Black side yourself against the replies of the trap. This lesson is part of Skillwik Pro.
Add to Chrome — freeFrequently asked questions
What is the Kieninger Trap?
- A knight on d3 mates a king that grabs a bishop. It arises in the Budapest Gambit. Checkmate on move 8, with a knight.
How do you avoid the Kieninger Trap?
- As White, answer 7...Ngxe5 with 8.Nxe5 instead of grabbing the bishop on b4.