Petrov's Defence, Marshall Trap

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Position after 10.Re1?
Black wins with 10...Bxh2+!

The Marshall Trap is a chess opening trap in Petrov's Defence named after Frank Marshall.

The trap begins with the moves

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nf6

Black plays Petrov's Defence.

3. Nxe5 d6

4. Nf3 Nxe4

5. d4 d5

6. Bd3 Bd6

7. O-O O-O

8. c4 Bg4

9. cxd5 f5

10. Re1?

(See diagram.) White should play 10.Nc3 instead.

10. ... Bxh2+!

An unexpected blow.

11. Kxh2 Nxf2

Black forks the white queen and bishop, forcing the queen to move.

12. Qe2 Nxd3

13. Qxd3 Bxf3

14. Qxf3 Qh4+ followed by Qxe1 winning a rook.

References

• Hooper, David and Kenneth Whyld (1996). The Oxford Companion to Chess. Oxford University. ISBN 0-19-280049-3.