Day 4: Budapest Gambit: the Kieninger trap
This day is not open yet
Finish the previous day first; each new trap opens the day after.
All 7 daysYou play White. Find a move that does not fall for the trap.
Make your move on the board first — the explanation appears afterwards.
What now?
- Read the short explanation below (about 30 seconds).
- Come back tomorrow for day 5. Tap “Remind me tomorrow” so you don’t forget.
The tempting mistake
8.axb4?? wins a bishop but walks into 8...Nd3#. The knight jumps from e5 to d3 with check, which opens the e-file: now the queen on e7 pins the e2 pawn, so it cannot take on d3, and the king has no free square.
The safe defence
Remove the dangerous knight first: 8.Nxe5. 8.e3 also works, because the bishop on f1 then covers d3. The bishop on b4 can wait — take it only when ...Nd3 is no longer mate.
Day 5 opens tomorrow
Come back tomorrow for the next trap. This link always opens your next day:
Optional. Downloads a calendar file with one reminder per remaining day at 18:00. Nothing is stored on our side and no e-mails are sent.
Source and review
Example game from the trap collection: Detellis, P. - Wall, Bill, 1986
Source study (Lichess) · Background reading (Wikipedia) · Full trap page
Automated check on 2026-10-10: the line was replayed move by move and the key moves were checked with Stockfish (depth 18).
Human review: ChessGL team, 2026-10-11.