A Cute Winawer Trap
After the moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.a4 Qa5 8.Qd2 b6 9.Ba3
should Black play the strategically desirable 9...Ba6? What do you think (without running engines!)?
After the moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.a4 Qa5 8.Qd2 b6 9.Ba3
should Black play the strategically desirable 9...Ba6? What do you think (without running engines!)?
There are many ways to set traps, and one in my ChessLecture.com show this week I focus on one especially unusual way. Normally, one finds some bait for the opponent, who will suffer unpleasant consequences if he goes after it. The subtler method is this: figure out what bait your opponent is setting for you, and then fall for it! Of course, you should only do this is you see something your opponent doesn't. Perhaps your opponent has misassessed the final position of his "trap", or there's some nasty tactical shot you have that upsets the apple cart. The key is for you not to take your opponent at his word, but to look carefully for something he might have missed; if you find it, then boldly fall into the trap...and win!