Noah's Ark Trap
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5a6
- 4.Ba4b5
- 5.Bb3d6
- 6.d4Nxd4
- 7.Nxd4exd4
- 8.Qxd4c5
493 games
A Ruy Lopez trap in which White's bishop on b3 is cut off by Black's a-, b- and c-pawns after the error 8. Qxd4, costing White a piece.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Noah's Ark Trap
The Noah's Ark Trap shuts White's light-squared bishop in on b3 behind Black's pawns on a6, b5 and c4. White's mistake is 8. Qxd4, after which 8...c5 prepares ...c4. The line 9. Qd5 Be6 10. Qc6+ Bd7 11. Qd5 c4 wins the bishop, as in Steiner–Capablanca, Budapest 1929. The name may come from the ark-like pawn formation or from the trap's age. Black scores heavily, and engines rate the position as a large advantage for Black.