intermediateQueen's Gambit Declined♚ Black to play+35 XP

Cambridge Springs Trap

A famous trap from the QGD where Black pins the knight and creates tactical threats.

Move Sequence

1.d4d52.c4e63.Nc3Nf64.Bg5Nbd75.Nf3c66.e3Qa57.Nd2Bb48.Qc2O-O9.Bd3dxc410.Bxc4Nd5

Step-by-Step Explanation

1

Black develops Qa5 pinning the Nc3 to the king

2

Combined with Bb4, this creates a double pin

3

Black wins material or achieves a dominant position

4

The Nd5 forks multiple pieces after the pawn exchange

Move Annotations

1. d4Standard QGD opening
d5Mirrors
2. c4Offers the gambit
e6Declines
3. Nc3Develops knight
Nf6Natural development
4. Bg5Pins the knight
Nbd7Develops behind pawns
5. Nf3Standard
c6Prepares Qa5
6. e3Supports center
Qa5The Cambridge Springs move!
7. Nd2Retreats the knight
Bb4Pins another piece
8. Qc2Unpins
O-OCastles safely
9. Bd3Develops bishop
dxc4Opens the center
10. Bxc4Recaptures
Nd5Powerful centralized knight

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