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intermediateItalian Game♚ Black to play+45 XP

Blackburne Shilling Gambit

A dangerous trap where Black sacrifices material for a smothered mate.

Move Sequence

1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bc4Nd44.Nxe5Qg55.Nxf7Qxg26.Rf1Qxe4+7.Be2Nf3#

Step-by-Step Explanation

Black plays the unusual Nd4, seemingly a mistake

If White takes on f7, Black plays Qg5 with threats

After Qxg2 Rf1, Qxe4+ sets up the finale

Nf3# is a beautiful smothered mate!

Move Annotations

1. e4Standard

e5Standard

2. Nf3Develops

Nc6Develops

3. Bc4Italian Game

Nd4Unusual! Looks like a mistake

4. Nxe5Takes the free pawn — falling in!

Qg5Attacks both the knight and g2

5. Nxf7Tries to counter-attack

Qxg2Takes the pawn with threats

6. Rf1Defends f2

Qxe4+Check! Forces the block

7. Be2Only move

Nf3#Smothered mate! Beautiful finish

Practice the Blackburne Shilling Gambit interactively

Play through the trap move-by-move on an animated board

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Blackburne Shilling Gambit

Move Sequence

Step-by-Step Explanation

Move Annotations

Practice the Blackburne Shilling Gambit interactively

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