Trapped by his own Trap

In the following position, we can see once more what can happen when a player sets up a pitfall for his opponent but overlooks weakness in his own side. The position arose in a match game played in 1888. White has the problem of guarding his e-pawn, his development is not too grossly inferior, and it takes a really sharp eye to spot its basic defect.

Protecting the e-pawn presents a problem, White cannot play f4 because that pawn is pinned. By the same token, he cannot play Re1, his f-pawn needs guarding. Developing the Bishop by 1.Bf4 will not do either. After 1...g5, 2.Bg3 h5, 3.h3 h4! Black has good attacking prospects. No wonder White sees an easy way out of his troubles by setting up a pitfall. 

(Notes by American Chess Legend Fred Reinfeld)