Opening Tricks Hall of Fame
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5
A repertoire for Black · ECO A00–E99
A hall of fame of the coolest opening tricks in chess, curated for Black: legendary traps like the Lasker Trap, queen-winning sequences, and miniature-producing ambushes across many openings — each with the theory to back it up when the opponent doesn't bite.
Start the Opening Tricks Hall of Fame course
Mainline
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3
Key ideas
- Learn the classics: the Lasker Trap's underpromotion, smothered-mate patterns, and more famous ambushes.
- Every trick comes with a safety net — sound continuations for when your opponent finds the right reply.
- Recognize trap patterns by mechanism (pins, deflections, discovered attacks), not memorized move-lists.
- Sharpen your tactical radar for your main openings too — trap patterns repeat everywhere.
Typical plans and structures
Each chapter presents one celebrated trick from Black's side: the setup, the bait, the punishment when White grabs it, and — crucially — the honest evaluation and plan when White declines. The showpiece Lasker Trap (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4 4.e3? Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3! winning with an underpromotion) headlines a collection spanning queen's-pawn and king's-pawn openings alike. Ideal as a tactical dessert alongside a main repertoire course.
Who should play it
Players of any level who love quick wins and tactical ambushes — especially blitz and online players, where traps score daily.
Frequently asked questions
Are opening tricks worth learning, or should I study 'real' openings?
Both — and they reinforce each other. Traps teach concrete tactical mechanisms (deflection, pins, discovered checks) that transfer to every game, and knowing the famous ones also protects you from falling into them yourself.
What happens when my opponent doesn't fall for a trap?
Every trick in the course is chosen so that Black's position stays sound when the trap is declined — you get a normal, playable game rather than a compromised one. That's the difference between a good trap and a cheap one.
What is the Lasker Trap?
The Albin Countergambit's crown jewel: after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 d4, the natural 4.e3? loses to 4...Bb4+ 5.Bd2 dxe3!, when 6.Bxb4?? exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1=N+! underpromotes with devastating effect. It has claimed victims for over a century.
New to a concept? Every term is defined in the chess terms glossary.