Cute Guioco Piano Trap

This is one of those games where you have seen the trap before (a Queen and Knight sacrifice that leads to checkmate), but have never played it and wonder if you would ever get to play it on someone who hasn't seen it.  I played a known trap in a blitz game that's cute and a good lesson for anyone trying to play the Giuoco Piano.  Don't fall for this trap as White and know it as Black if you play this opening.

Here is the game (and link)

http://www.chess.com/livechess/game.html?id=6457285

nice

Bill, you are the Trap Master!

amazing

beats my trap,

Well planned. Nice trap.

very nice.

I still remember when you caught me in the trap during our blitz game at the Melbourne chess club over 10 yrs ago. Then you put it in your book too! 

Awesome! What after 12.Qe1 Nd4

Nd2?

Harry,

After 12.Qe1 (instead of 12.Qd2), I would play 12...Nd4 13.Nd2 Rxd8, threatening 14...Ne2+ next move.  If I play 13...Ne2+ first, White will play 14.Ne6, theatening 15.Nxc7, forkling my king and rook.  But 13...Rxd8 threatens 14...Ne2 15.Qxe2 Bxe2 and if the rook moves, then 16...Bxf2 mate.  If 16.hxg3 instead of a rook move, then 16...Nh5 and 17...Nxg3 wins more material, or just play 16...Bxf1.

KingLeopold fell for this trap in the Budapest

Very nice. Here's another beautiful trap against the Guioco Piano as Black:

beautiful games tarikhk!   thanks for sharing

I only ever see the Guico Piano from White.  not a fan of traps but I'm in a quandary...does anyone know any traps in the Giuco Piano from White?

The Evans Gambit is part of the Guioco Piano.  Here is one trap that I played here.

hmm, what a weak move in your game Bill - 13. ... d6??

And BTW, I like Evans Gambit too...   Here is one with a cute checkmate:

 that was fantastic

It looks like all of White's woes begin with the ill-planned 6. Bg5. When playing in a strange position (assuming White is new to the whole Guioco thing) it's important to try to imagine just what you'd do if Black plays the obvious h6. Black hasn't castled yet, so his options are still open. So h6 is a good lead-in to a King-side pawn storm. Plus, White then has to decide on whether to exchange on f6 (which might invite gxf6 to open the g-file!) or lose a tempo by playing the Be3 retreat.

He could have saved himself a lot of trouble by playing 6. c3, keeping Black out of d4 and b4 and giving the Bishop an escape route. Though this is a good routine to keep in mind when playing someone who makes impulsive moves or isn't really familiar with the opening.