Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...Nf6/4. d3/4...Ne7/5. Nxe5/5...c6

Mortimer trap C65 Spanish game → Anti-Berlin → Mortimer variation 5...c6 · Mortimer trap Black kicks White's bishop, gaining tempo while opening a line for their queen reach a5. White has fallen into the Mortimer trap. After 6. Bc4? or 6. Ba4?, 6...Qa5+! 7. Nc3 and Black picks up the knight. White has some tricky moves of their own, but if Black avoids their traps then they are strictly ahead here. 6. Nc4?!, leaving the bishop to hang, sets Black up for the blunder 6...cxb5?? 7. Nd6#, and Black's king is smothered. Giving the king some space with 6...d6 (Black still wins a minor piece after 7. Ba4 b5!) or 6...d5 is better. The best move for White is 6. Nxf7. White at least gets another pawn for their knight. The knight attacks Black's queen, but 6...Qa5+? 7. Bd2 Qxb5?? 8. Nd6+ forks the king and queen. 6...Kxf7 7. Bc4+ d5 8. Bb3--. is best. Black is ahead material but loses castling rights. Theory table 0 6. Ba4? Qa5+ 7. Nc3 Qxe5 -- Mortimer trap 6. Nc4 cxb5 7. Nd6# 1-0 6. ... d6 7. Ba4 b5 8. Nxd6+ Qxd6 9. Bb3 -- 6. Nxf7 Qa5+? 7. Bd2 Qxb5?? 8. Nd6+ Kd8 9. Nxb5 +++ 6. ... Kxf7 7. Bc4+ d5 8. Bb3 -- References See also Ruy Lopez, Mortimer Trap