Legal / Blackburne Trap

Legal/Blackburne Trap

The Legal Trap (or) The Blackburne Trap is a trap that involves a queen sacrifice by white that leads to a quick checkmate with the help of the minor pieces. The trap is usually descended from the Philidor Defense in which black plays d6 to defend the e5 pawn or the Semi-Italian Game in which black plays d6 after the mainline of the Italian Game. Here's a look at this very interesting trap:

White's interesting tactical ideas and black's blunder helped white win in such a short amount of time. However, if black is aware of the trap, he would play a different line that would defend him from immediate checkmate. That variation would still give white a better position although not an immediate checkmate. Here is a look at the alternate variation:

An important move in this whole trap is 5.h3, which plays an important role if black plays 6..Nxe5. If white ends up not making that move, then White's queen will not be able to capture the bishop on g4 as it would be protected by the knight on e5.

Interesting Facts:

• Opening: Philidor Defense (or) Semi-Italian Game
• First Game: Legal vs. Saint Brie
• Named After: French Player Sire de Légal (or) British Master Joseph Henry Blackburne

 Since you now know how to play the Legal trap, try to implement them in your games in order to see improvement. Thanks for reading this article. Feel free to comment with any questions that you have