Traps, Tricks & Mistakes: Trap on c7

Those who are following these posts know my opinion about traps.
Learning traps by heart isn’t the right way to improve in chess.
Knowing traps is helpful for two reasons: a) it avoids you falling into them, b) it helps in recognizing tactical motifs.

Frequently, when facing a higher-rated opponent, players feel uncomfortable with the psychological feeling of being inferior.
In those cases, the probability of making mistakes is high.
The lower-rated player forgets that even his/her opponent is prone to make mistakes.

Today’s example is an online game played with a time control of 3 days/move.
The difference in rating between both players is more than 400 points.
Despite both players had 3 days per move, the higher-rated player was unable not only to identify the trap but also to find the right answer.

In this context is worth mentioning a Kasparov’s anecdote when he was 12.
In 1975, Anatoly Karpov inherited the crown of World Champion when the American Bobby Fischer refused to defend it.
Soon after, Kasparov and Karpov met in Baku for the first time.
A tournament between Russian grandmasters and young Azeri chess players took place in the Azerbaijan main city.
Kasparov was in the local team together with other young boys and teenagers.
His colleagues were afraid of playing against Karpov and Kasparov encouraged them saying: “He may be the world champion but he can still make mistakes”


Due to the COVID pandemic, the Nairobi Chess Club site remains closed until further notice.
But our virtual Chess.com club regularly organizes online tournaments and matches.
New tournaments will start soon and there is Blitz every Saturday.
More than 430 members enjoy that chance and new members join every week.
Join now! Limited slots!.

Get updated about COVID-19. Check the website World Health Organization. It includes links to country-specific information. Stay safe!

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