Monticelli Trap

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The Monticelli Trap is a chess opening in the Bogo-Indian Defence, that experts once claimed was irrefutable.

The trap begins with the moves

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 e6

Black plays the Indian Defence.

3. Nf3 Bb4+

Black plays the Bogo-Indian-Defence.

4. Bd2 Bxd2+

5. Qxd2 b6

6. g3 Bb7

7. Bg2 O-O

8. Nc3 Ne4

9. Qc2 Nxc3

10. Ng5!

(See diagram.)

Black must respond to two different threats: the mate threat 11. Qxh7# and 11. Bxb7 winning a bishop and a rook.

However, chess legend José Raúl Capablanca (Black) showed this trap wasn't so irrefutable when he drew in a game against fellow legend Max Euwe (White) in 1931 (Amsterdam).

Capablanca responded with

10.. Ne4

11.Bxe4 Bxe4

12.Qxe4 Qxg5

13.Qxa8 Nc6

14.Qb7 Nxd4

15.Rd1 c5

16.e3 Nc2+

17.Kd2 Qf5

18.Qg2 Nb4

19.e4 Qf6

20.Kc1 Nxa2+

21.Kb1 Nb4

22.Rxd7 Nc6

23.f4 e5

24.Rhd1 Nd4

25.Rxa7 exf4

26.gxf4 Qxf4

27.Re1 Nf3

28.Re2 Nd4

29.Re1 (½-½).

Nonetheless, this trap is still a massive blow to most opponents.

References

[chessworld.net]

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