This is a trap in the Queen's Gambit Declined Vienna Variation (D39). The Vienna variation of the QGD is a popular offshoot of the QGD Ragozin (D38). I had to post this because the trap is obviously not that well known. I just played it in a game against an opponent of mine. He is very highly ranked, and I was soundly drubbed by him in our last encounter. However, in this game, I already have a substantial advantage as of move 12, thanks to the following trap. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

     One key point is that, after black castles short on his 11th move, white does not get the knight for free. This is because, after 12. Qxe4, black has 12...a6, threatening the knight. The knight cannot avoid capture since it is both tied to defending the c-pawn, and pinned against the loose bishop on g5.

Thanks for showing this interesting trap. It seems like players are divided between playing 11.Qd4 (setting this trap) and playing 11.Bf4 (a simple retreat).

i love queen's pawn opening. i used this to almost all of my games playing white. thanks for sharing this trap. it will be very useful to me sooner or later.

likesforests wrote:

Thanks for showing this interesting trap. It seems like players are divided between playing 11.Qd4 (setting this trap) and playing 11.Bf4 (a simple retreat).

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     You are correct that Qd4 and Bf4 are the only two widely accepted moves, but I disagree with both pairs of parenthesis. I did not play 11. Qd4 hoping to pull off a quick swindle. The move has plenty of merits, and, in my view, is the best move. It attacks g7, attacks the knight, and defends the now twice-attacked c-pawn. Also, in such a dynamic position, why not move your most powerful piece out to the center of the board? Bf4 is not a simple retreat either. In such a sharp position, nothing is so simple. You could even say that it sets traps of its own. 11...a6 seems pretty natural to try to get at the now vulnerable c-pawn, but 12. Bc7 traps the Queen of course. 11...Nxc3 seems like a good move at first glance, but a bad one at second glance as you notice white has the simple reply 12. Qd2. Unless I am mistaken, the best reply in each case for black is a kingside castle.

Nice trap.

One of my favorites is the Pittsburg Trap in the QGD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Everyone knows this short line where Black wins a piece for a pawn: