English Chinese (Simplified) French German Hindi Portuguese Russian Spanish

Sign up for our Newsletter

Get TheChessWorld Toolbar

Get our toolbar!

Social Connect

Grab the RSS feed!
Follow me on Twitter!
Add me on Facebook!

Support TheChessWorld

Why donate?

Chess Quote

Many have become Chess Masters, no one has become the Master of Chess. ~ Siegbert Tarrasch
How do you like new TheChessWorld.com:
 

FIDE Top 10

2700chess.com for more details and full list

Chess Talk

Chess Players Online:

We have 51 guests online
pogonina
Legal’s Trap PDF Print E-mail
Written by Yury Markushin   
Sunday, 20 December 2009 16:04

Legal's Trap also known as Legal's Mate often arises in shown or similar positions. In this example it works like an opening trap for Philidor's Defense. White pseudo-sacrifices the queen and mates by 3 minor pieces.
The trap is named after Sire de Légal (1702-1792) who was a French player, or Joseph Henry Blackburne (1841-1924), who was a British master and one of the world's strongest players in the latter part of the 19th century. Main Line:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nc6 4. Nc3 Bg4 5. h3 Bh5 6. Nxe5 Bxd1 7. Bxf7+ Ke7 8. Nd5#

When the Legal's Trap doesn't work?

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bc4 Bg4

The Legal's trap does NOT work in this position. The reason is black knight on c6. Now, if white plays
5.Nxe5? Black still cannot capture the queen (or the same mate as shown above would be developed), but instead black can take the knight 5...Nxe5 protecting the bishop at the same time. White loses material.



Last Updated on Monday, 28 March 2011 18:04
 

Comments  

 
+2 # Bryan 2011-03-28 16:51
I see but why not just take knight with c6 knight and it is two for one, with you gaining bishop on c4. not sure how this is advantageous
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
0 # Administrator 2011-03-28 18:07
I can see the source of your confusion, Bryan. However, after 6.Ne5 white is fine by playing 6...Qxh5 7.Nxc4 Qb5+ winning the piece back. White is a good pawn up here. ;-)
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
+1 # Tommy Tan 2011-12-20 20:35
The Legal's Mate ROX!
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
+1 # Tommy Tan 2011-12-20 20:42
Actually,When white play h3,black should just simply capture the Knight on f3 so that black will not fall into the legal's mate but white is a little better as bishop is very important in the opening,middleg ame or even endgame! :D :lol: :-) ;-) 8) :-* :P :roll:

By Tommy Tan, Singapore!
National Rating:1541
International Rating:1625
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 
 
0 # Administrator 2011-12-28 11:45
Well, yeah if Black captures after h3 we get kind of a balanced game.
Reply | Reply with quote | Quote
 

Add comment


Security code
Refresh

Content View Hits : 1975459