Blackburne Shilling Gambit

Smothered mate after a pawn grab

The attacking idea

Use queen threats to pull the defenders away, then let the knight deliver mate.

The temptation

The rook-and-queen fork looks stronger than the threats against the king.

If they defend

Exchange the advanced knight and develop instead of taking the poisoned pawn.

Accurate defence can leave the attacker behind in material or development.

They take the bait

1. e4 1… e5 2. Nf3 2… Nc6 3. Bc4 3… Nd4 4. Nxe5 4… Qg5 5. Nxf7 5… Qxg2 6. Rf1 6… Qxe4+ 7. Be2 7… Nf3#

They defend

1. e4 1… e5 2. Nf3 2… Nc6 3. Bc4 3… Nd4 4. Nxd4 4… exd4 5. O-O 5… Bc5 6. d3

About your chess coach

Tempo uses Stockfish 19 Lite to suggest strong moves and explain captures, threats, and plans in plain language.

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