The fast checkmates and traps that beginners meet in their first games: Fool's mate, Scholar's mate, the early queen, the knight jump to g5 and the Fried Liver. Learn to stop each one, and how to punish it. This is a tactics course with 2 lessons and 7 interactive exercises, suited to players rated around 680 (beginners). Every exercise is played on a real board with feedback after each move, there is nothing to install, and it is free.
Lessons in Scholar's mate and quick traps
The fastest checkmates – Most quick losses come from the same few patterns. Once you know them, they stop working against you.
Knight attacks and the Fried Liver – White's knight likes to jump to g5 and hit f7 with the bishop. Learn the calm answer, the trap that follows a natural mistake, and a trap Black sets for greedy players.
Next steps
Opening principles – How to start any game well: take the centre, develop your knights and bishops, castle early, and don't bring the queen out too soon. Includes the Scholar's Mate and how to stop it.
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