Miniature of the Month - February 2008

Here is a trap in the Queens Indian Defence. Black attempts to exchange the White pawn on e5 but in doing so allow the White pieces to spring to life.

L'Ami,E (2581) - Monsieux,C (2338) [E15]
XXIV Open Cappelle La Grande FRA (3), 18.02.2008

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Nbd2 Bb7 6.Bg2 c5 7.e4 cxd4 8.e5 Ng4 9.0-0 Qc7 10.Re1 d6?? While this move seems to help Black remove an important central White pawn, it turns out that this is a big mistake. So big that every Black players who has reached this position (and there were lots of them) chose to play something else. 11.exd6 Qxd6 (D) [ 11...Bxd6 12.Nxd4 Bxg2 13.Qxg4 Bb7 14.Qxg7 Rf8 15.Ne4 is also bad for Black.] 12.Ne4 But now it is White's turn to miss the best move, although the move played is OK. [ 12.Ng5!! Bxg2 13.Qxg4 and if Black retreats the bishop White just captures on e6 with the knight] 12...Qd7 13.Nxd4 h5 14.Nb5 [ 14.Nb5 Qxd1 ( 14...Bc6 15.Qxd7+ Kxd7 16.Bf4 e5 17.Rad1+ Kc8 18.Ned6+ Bxd6 19.Nxd6++-) 15.Rxd1 Na6 ( 15...Ke7 16.h3 Ne5 17.Nbd6 Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Nbc6 19.f4+-) 16.Ned6+ wins a piece.] 1-0