Pirc Defense Trap

White wins material on move 5

Rookie B00 Wins a pawn Springs the trap: White

Pirc Defense (B00) is a real game that ended in a trap. On move 4, Black played 4...Bg4? — a natural-looking move — and White replied 5.Bxf7+. The result: White wins material on move 5.

Watch the trap, then test yourself

The moves, one by one

Tap a move to jump to it. The red move is the mistake.

Why the trap works

The mistake 4...Bg4 looks harmless, but it allows 5.Bxf7+. The trapper wins material and keeps the initiative. With this single move the engine evaluation swings by roughly 9.6 pawns in White’s favour.

How to avoid it

Instead of 4...Bg4, safe options are Nf6, c6, Nc6, a6. The habit that saves you: before every natural-looking move, ask what your opponent’s best reply is — here it is 5.Bxf7+.

How to set it

Playing White? Follow the moves above up to move 4, then wait for 4...Bg4. If your opponent finds Nf6 instead, just keep playing sound chess and look for the next chance.

Trap facts

Opening: Pirc Defense
ECO code: B00
Difficulty: Rookie
Springs the trap: White
The mistake: 4...Bg4?
The punishment: 5.Bxf7+
Safe moves: Nf6, c6, Nc6, a6
Game: Laszlo - Biro (1940)
Position before the mistake (FEN): rnbqk1nr/ppp1ppbp/3p2p1/8/2BPP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 3 4

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Pirc Defense trap?

Pirc Defense (B00) is a real game that ended in a trap. On move 4, Black played 4...Bg4? — a natural-looking move — and White replied 5.Bxf7+. The result: White wins material on move 5.

How do you avoid the Pirc Defense trap?

Instead of 4...Bg4, safe options are Nf6, c6, Nc6, a6. The habit that saves you: before every natural-looking move, ask what your opponent’s best reply is — here it is 5.Bxf7+.

How fast does the Pirc Defense trap win?

White wins material on move 5, after Black falls for 4...Bg4.

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