Beginner's Trap

The Beginner's Trap is named for the player who falls into it, not the one who sets it. After 1. h4 d5, Black's pawn move has already opened the c8-h3 diagonal, so the rook lift 2. Rh3 simply hangs the rook to 2...Bxh3, which is both the engine's choice and the most common reply. White is left a full exchange down, and the engine rates the position as a large advantage for Black. Many players overlook the capture, and 2...e5 is nearly as frequent, but Black scores heavily whichever move is chosen.