Opening tactics and traps

Almost every early tactic in chess exploits one of three things: f7, an undeveloped king, or a piece that moved twice while the other side developed.

120 positions in the course
Difficulty 1000–2448
Section: Openings
5 levels

What opening tactics have in common

The opening is the phase where the kings are least safe and the pieces least coordinated, which is why the tactics are so consistent across different openings. The f7 and f2 squares are defended once. The e-file is open with a king still on it. A queen that came out early is a target that gives away tempo every time it is hit.

That means the patterns transfer. A player who knows why Bxf7+ works in the Italian will find the same idea in the Vienna, the Scotch and the Caro-Kann, because the reason has nothing to do with the opening's name.

How to spot it

f7 and f2 are the weakest squares on the board until both sides castle. Look there first.
A king still on e1 or e8 with an open e-file is a tactic waiting to be found.
Count development. If one side has three pieces out and the other has one, look for a way to open lines immediately.
Any piece that has moved twice in the opening is a target. So is any queen that has come out before the minor pieces.

Three opening tactics

Three positions from the 120 in this skill, easiest first. The highlighted squares are the move your opponent has just played. Work it out before you open the answer.

Position 1

White to move. Find the best move.

Show the answer

16...Kg6 17.Qf5#

The line ends in checkmate. The tactic exploits something specific to the opening phase: an uncastled king, a weak f-square, or a lead in development.

The position comes from the opening of a real game, rated 1163 for difficulty. The answer reaches checkmate.

Position 2

Black to move. Find the best move.

Show the answer

19.Kxh5 19...Qxe2+ 20.Qg4 20...Qxe4

The line wins a piece. The tactic exploits something specific to the opening phase: an uncastled king, a weak f-square, or a lead in development.

The position comes from the opening of a real game, rated 1753 for difficulty. The answer reaches a winning advantage.

Position 3

White to move. Find the best move.

Show the answer

14...Kg8 15.Bg5 d5 16.Bxd8

The line wins a queen. The tactic exploits something specific to the opening phase: an uncastled king, a weak f-square, or a lead in development.

The position comes from the opening of a real game, rated 2273 for difficulty. The answer reaches a clear advantage.

Drill this pattern until it is automatic 120 more positions on opening traps, in five graded levels, in the free Reflex Chess trainer. No account needed to start. Practise opening traps

A note on traps

A trap is a move that is objectively slightly worse but sets a problem the opponent is likely to solve incorrectly. They are worth knowing about, mostly so you do not fall into them, and worth playing sparingly, because a trap that is declined usually leaves you slightly worse.

The more valuable version of the same knowledge is defensive. Almost every famous opening trap punishes one of the patterns above, so learning the patterns immunises you against a whole class of them without memorising a list.

Questions people ask

What is the most common opening trap in chess?

The Scholar's Mate attempt against f7, and the various Fried Liver and Bxf7+ ideas that follow from it. They all exploit the same fact: f7 is defended only by the king until Black castles.

How do I avoid falling for opening traps?

Develop pieces toward the centre, castle early, avoid moving the same piece twice without reason, and check f7 or f2 before every quiet move. Those four habits neutralise most traps without knowing any of them by name.

Are opening traps worth playing?

Occasionally, and only ones that do not damage your position if declined. A trap that costs you a pawn or a tempo when it fails is a bad bet against anyone who has seen it before.

Nearby patterns

Opening Traps sits in Openings. The rest of that section: