A Quick Win with the Scholar’s Mate

Have you ever played an online chess tournament where you needed a quick win as White? Here's a simple strategy to score a fast victory: the Scholar’s Mate, a checkmate you can achieve in just four moves. Here's how it works:

First, move your pawn to e4, opening lines for both your queen and bishop. If Black responds with the common move e5, continue by moving your queen to h5, aiming at the weak f7 square.

If Black defends by playing g6, capture the pawn on e5. On your next move, you'll be able to win Black’s rook.

However, if Black instead develops with Nc6, play Bc4, targeting f7 alongside your queen. If Black continues with Nf6, you can deliver checkmate immediately with Qxf7.

If Black defends with g6 at this stage, reposition your queen to f3, maintaining pressure on f7. Should Black then play a passive move like d6, you can checkmate with Qxf7.
Be cautious, though: if Black plays Nf6, Qe7, or Qf6, the opportunity for the Scholar’s Mate disappears.

Keep in mind that experienced players will recognise this trap immediately. It's best to try it against lower-rated opponents, as it can backfire and leave you in a poor position if it fails.