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The Stafford Gambit Trap
The Stafford Gambit is one of the most venomous opening weapons for Black against 1.e4. Popularized by IM Eric Rosen, this line sets up immediate, game-ending tactics if White plays "natural" developing moves. This guide shows the famous "Oh no, my Queen!" checkmate pattern.
🕸️ Trap Alert: The Stafford works because it looks like Black just hung a pawn. But the open lines give Black a ferocious attack. Learn the pattern to shock your opponents.
Full Move-by-Move Diagrams
This sequence occurs when White tries to kick Black's knight with h3—a fatal mistake in the Stafford.
🔥 The Core Idea: Black sacrifices the c-pawn to open diagonals for both Bishops.
If White plays h3 to stop ...Ng4, they walk into a shocking sacrifice.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6!? 4.Nxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bc5 6.Bg5? Nxe4!!
White resigns. (If 7.Bxd8 Bxf2+ 8.Ke2 Bg4#)
1. The Setup (Petrov)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6. The Petrov Defense. White usually takes on e5.
2. The Gambit (Nc6!?)
3.Nxe5 Nc6! Black offers the knight instead of chasing White away. This initiates the Stafford.
3. Open Lines (dxc6)
4.Nxc6 dxc6. Black is down a pawn, but look at the Bishops! They have open lines to the kingside.
4. The Target (Bc5)
5.d3 Bc5. Black eyes the weak f2 square. A common trap is already set (if h3?? then ...Bxf2+).
5. The Mistake (Bg5?)
White pins the knight. "I'm developing actively!" But this pin is an illusion.
6. THE SHOCKER (Nxe4!!)
"Oh no, my Queen!" Black ignores the pin. The Knight captures on e4.
If White captures the Queen (Bxd8), it's mate in 2.
If White captures the Queen (Bxd8), it's mate in 2.
7. If White Takes... (Bxf2+)
7.Bxd8 Bxf2+. The King has only one square (e2).
8. Checkmate (Bg4#)
8.Ke2 Bg4#. A beautiful mate with just minor pieces. The White Queen watches helplessly.
How to Defend (Anti-Stafford)
- Respect the f2 square: In the Stafford, f2 is your weakest point. Don't weaken it further.
- Be careful with Bg5: Pinning the f6 knight often backfires because Black's Queen can move, or the knight can jump anyway (Légal's Mate style).
- Play f3? Sometimes blocking the diagonal is necessary, or simply playing solid moves like Be2 instead of aggressive pins.
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This page is part of the Chess Tactics Guide – Stop Missing Winning Moves (0–1600) — Most games under 1400 are decided by simple tactics. Learn how to spot forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, deflections, and mating threats before your opponent does — and stop losing winning positions to missed opportunities.
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