The Stafford trap is lesson 4 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 1: classic traps, an opening course suited to players rated around 900 (beginners). Petrov Defence, Stafford Gambit, C42. Black gives the queen and mates with two bishops and a knight. It has 4 interactive exercises: 4 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 Stafford Gambit. White's bishop on g5 attacks your queen. But White's king is still in the centre, and f2 is weak. Do not save the queen. About 382,000 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Nxe4! The knight takes a pawn and leaves the queen to the bishop. Now Bxf2 check is coming.
After Bxd8, Bxf2 check forces the king to e2, and Bg4 is checkmate. The bishops and the knight on e4 cover every square around the king.
Recap.
In the Stafford, White's king often stays on e1.
When the bishop hits your queen, look for Nxe4.
Bxd8 runs into Bxf2 check and Bg4 mate.
Against Be3, take it and check on h4.
What you practise
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Stafford Gambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White's bishop attacks your queen. Do not save her. Take a pawn and hunt the king.
White does not take the queen. White takes your knight with the pawn instead. Do not grab the bishop yet. Check first on f2.
White sees the trap and blocks the bishop's line with Be3. Take that bishop. Your queen then gets a check on h4.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are Black: play the moves of the Stafford Gambit, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. White answers Bg5. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. You are Black. White's bishop attacks your queen. Do not save her. Take a pawn and hunt the king. That is the Stafford trap. Nxe4, Bxd8, Bxf2 check, Ke2, and Bg4 mate.
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