Ruy Lopez: Noah’s Ark Trap

Trap the bishop with pawns

The attacking idea

Push c5 and c4 to close the bishop's escape squares on the queenside.

The temptation

Recovering the pawn with the queen overlooks the bishop's shrinking escape route.

If they defend

Move the bishop to d5 first, before recovering the pawn with the queen.

Look for the tactic as you develop. The opponent can choose a different route.

They take the bait

1. e4 1… e5 2. Nf3 2… Nc6 3. Bb5 3… a6 4. Ba4 4… d6 5. d4 5… b5 6. Bb3 6… Nxd4 7. Nxd4 7… exd4 8. Qxd4 8… c5 9. Qd5 9… Be6 10. Qc6+ 10… Bd7 11. Qd5 11… c4 12. Bxc4 12… bxc4 13. Qxc4

They defend

1. e4 1… e5 2. Nf3 2… Nc6 3. Bb5 3… a6 4. Ba4 4… d6 5. d4 5… b5 6. Bb3 6… Nxd4 7. Nxd4 7… exd4 8. Bd5 8… Rb8 9. Qxd4 9… Nf6

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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