Pitfalls: Trapping (1)

While playing chess, a lot of decisions have to be made. In the next series of lessons, we will focus on making choices. Each time a piece can be (re)captured and/or material can be gained with a special attack, but the question is: how? After all, in every position several moves seem to be correct. Tempting, but it is important to keep a cool head. Above all, keep in mind the other player's defence and don't just think of your own plan!

We start the series with the special attack 'trapping'. You are in a situation where a piece can be captured in several ways. All the capturing moves look good, but there is only one move that gains material!

What should you do?

Win material by trapping. Capture a piece in such a way that an enemy piece's escape square is taken away.