OPENING TRAP
Noah's Ark Trap: Three pawns build a cage around the white bishop
The Noah's Ark Trap is a trap in the Ruy Lopez. Three pawns build a cage around the white bishop. The bishop on b3 is trapped, and White will lose it for pawns.
The moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. d4 b5 6. Bb3 Nxd4 7. Nxd4 exd4 8. Qxd4 c5 9. Qd5 Be6 10. Qc6+ Bd7 11. Qd5 c4
- 1. e4 White takes the centre.
- 1... e5 You mirror the move.
- 2. Nf3 White attacks e5.
- 2... Nc6 You defend it.
- 3. Bb5 The Ruy Lopez.
- 3... a6 You ask the bishop what it wants to do.
- 4. Ba4 The bishop retreats but stays on the diagonal.
- 4... d6 A solid move that keeps the e5 pawn safe.
- 5. d4 White strikes in the centre.
- 5... b5 The first pawn of the ark. It kicks the bishop to b3.
- 6. Bb3 The bishop goes to b3. Remember this square.
- 6... Nxd4 You take a pawn and invite trades.
- 7. Nxd4 White takes the knight.
- 7... exd4 You recapture, and the queen on d1 now sees the pawn.
- 8. Qxd4 White takes the pawn. Now the queen can be chased.
- 8... c5 The second pawn. It attacks the queen and gains time.
- 9. Qd5 The queen steps to d5.
- 9... Be6 Your bishop attacks the queen again.
- 10. Qc6+ The queen checks, trying to escape.
- 10... Bd7 You attack the queen once more.
- 11. Qd5 The queen goes back to d5.
- 11... c4 The third pawn closes the ark. The bishop on b3 is attacked, and a4 and c2 are not available.
How to avoid it
As White, do not rush with 5.d4. Quiet moves like 5.c3 keep the bishop safe.
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 Noah's Ark Trap?
- Three pawns build a cage around the white bishop. It arises in the Ruy Lopez. The bishop on b3 is trapped, and White will lose it for pawns.
How do you avoid the Noah's Ark Trap?
- As White, do not rush with 5.d4. Quiet moves like 5.c3 keep the bishop safe.