The Blackburne Shilling trap: seven moves to mate

This classic trap shows up on beginner blitz boards all the time, and it works remarkably well. Move by move, here's how seven moves are enough to turn a small inaccuracy into checkmate.

A knight that looks out of place... at first

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, Black plays 3...Nd4?!, a move that looks like a waste of time: the knight leaves a developed square to sit on one with no apparent future.

The queen steps in

If White gives in to temptation with 4.Nxe5??, they fall into the trap. 4...Qg5! attacks both the knight on e5 and the pawn on g2 at once: White can't defend both threats.

A second mistake, punished immediately

5.Nxf7?? ignores the main threat. After 5...Qxg2, the rook on h1 is attacked and the black queen is about to infiltrate White's position.

Mate in one

6.Rf1 Qxe4+ 7.Be2 and this is where the trap closes: 7...Nf3# is checkmate. The knight, sitting on the sidelines since the start of the game, decides the outcome.

What to remember

• ✓A piece that looks badly placed can be hiding a tactical idea: always look for the reason behind a surprising move before judging it weak.
• ✓Taking a free pawn is never automatic: always check the opponent's available captures and checks after your move.
• ✓A king left in the center is an invitation to open lines: here, two inaccuracies are enough to turn a won pawn into a disaster.