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One of my all time favorite opening traps is the Lasker Trap in the Queens Gambit Declined: Albin Counter-Gambit. Today, I had the pleasure of using the Lasker Trap to full effect in an online blitz game. Below I explain how the Lasker Trap works so you can win with it as well.
Albin Counter-Gambit,
Lasker Trap
The Lasker Trap Move by move:
1. d4 d5 (Both sides open wby advancing the Queen’s pawn two squares.
2. c4 (The Queen’s Gambit)
2… e5 (Albin Countergambit)
3. dxe5 d4 (Black gives up a pawn to plant a powerful central pawn on d4 which will make White uncomfortable by restricting natural piece development.)
4. e3? (Challenging Black’s d4 pawn is a tempting mistake. Better is 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. a3.)
4… Bb4+ (Black sets the trap with a check)
5. Bd2 dxe3! (Sacrificing the bishop is a small price for such a dangerous attack.)
6. Bxb4? exf2+! (White takes the bishop, and Black captures on f2 with check)
7. Ke2 fxg1=N+!! (Underpromotion to a Knight with check is necessary, as promoting to a Queen allows White to neutralize Black’s attack with 7… fxg1=Q ? 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rxg1.)
8. Rxg1 Bg4+ (Check, skewer and the Queen is dead.)
[Event “Live Chess”]
[Site “Chess.com”]
[Date “2026.11.05”]
[Round “?”]
[White “LACKEYRAZAEL”]
[Black “CoachTortoise”]
[Result “0-1”]
[TimeControl “300”]
[Termination “CoachTortoise won by resignation”]
[ECO “D08”]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. e3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 dxe3 6. Bxb4 exf2+ 7. Ke2 fxg1=N+
8. Rxg1 Bg4+ 0-1
