Black to Play

Pete Tamburro on Jun 6, 2025

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Here’s a version of the “Steinitz Trap” played in 1895 by someone else. There is a road not taken given below that is entertaining to play through. Black to play his 10th move. It’s a great lesson on one of the dangers of pinning the king knight before Black has castled.

Fucini - Olivari C50 Genoa, 1895 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.0–0 d6 6.Nc3 Bg4 7.h3 h5 8.hxg4 hxg4 9.Ng5 g3 10.Nxf7 SEE DIAGRAM Nxe4!! 11.Nxd8 Taking the rook lengthens the game, but the result is the same-11.Nxh8 Qh4 12.Qh5+ Qxh5 13.Bf7+ Qxf7 14.Nxf7 Nxf2 15.Ng5 Ne4+ 16.Kh1 Nxg5 17.Bxg5 Kd7 18.d4 Rh8+ 19.Kg1 Bxd4+ 20.Be3 Bxe3+ 21.Rf2 Bxf2+ 22.Kf1 Nd4 23.Ne2 Rh1+ 24.Ng1 Rxg1# 11...gxf2+ 12.Rxf2 Bxf2+ 13.Kf1 Rh1+ 14.Ke2 Nd4#

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.