Monticelli Trap
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- This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
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Position after 10.Ng5!
The Monticelli Trap is a chess opening trap in the Bogo-Indian Defence, named for Italian champion Mario Monticelli from the game Monticelli–Prokes, Budapest 1926.
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.
[edit] References
- Brace, Edward R. (1977), An Illustrated Dictionary of Chess, Hamlyn Publishing Group, pp. 191, ISBN 1-55521-394-4
- Znosko-Borovsky, Eugene (1977), The Art of Chess Combination, Dover, pp. 82, ISBN 0-486-20583-5
- chessworld.net
