The Blackburne Shilling trap is lesson 9 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 1: classic traps, an opening course suited to players rated around 900 (beginners). Italian Game, Blackburne Shilling Gambit, C50. Black lets a knight fork the rook, and mates on f3. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Blackburne Shilling Gambit. White took the e5 pawn with the knight, and that was greedy. Now f7 hangs to a knight fork, but White's g2 and e4 are weak too. About 2.7 million rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Qg5! The queen hits the knight on e5 and the pawn on g2. Black lets White fork the king's rook on f7.
After Nxf7, Qxg2 hits the rook. Rf1 saves it, then Qxe4 check, Be2, and Nf3 is checkmate. The knight on d4 and the queen did it together.
Recap.
3...Nd4 sets a trap: Nxe5 is a mistake.
Qg5 hits e5 and g2 together.
After Nxf7, Qxg2 and Qxe4 check lead to Nf3 mate.
If White castles, simply take the knight on e5.
What you practise
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Blackburne Shilling Gambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White just took your e5 pawn. Do not save f7. Attack g2 with the queen.
White does not take on f7. White castles, so g2 is safe. Now take the knight on e5.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Blackburne Shilling Gambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. White answers Nxe5. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White just took your e5 pawn. Do not save f7. Attack g2 with the queen. That is the Blackburne Shilling trap: Qg5, Nxf7, Qxg2, Rf1, Qxe4 check, Be2, Nf3 mate.
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