Vienna Game Trap

White checkmates on move 4

Rookie C25 Checkmate Springs the trap: White

Vienna Game (C25) is a real game that ended in a trap. On move 3, Black played 3...Ne7? — a natural-looking move — and White replied 4.Nf6#. The result: White checkmates on move 4.

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 3...Ne7 looks harmless, but it allows 4.Nf6#. The king is left without enough defenders and the game ends in checkmate. With this single move the engine evaluation swings by roughly 10.6 pawns in White’s favour.

How to avoid it

Instead of 3...Ne7, safe options are Bg7, c6. The habit that saves you: before every natural-looking move, ask what your opponent’s best reply is — here it is 4.Nf6#.

How to set it

Playing White? Follow the moves above up to move 3, then wait for 3...Ne7. If your opponent finds Bg7 instead, just keep playing sound chess and look for the next chance.

Trap facts

Opening: Vienna Game
ECO code: C25
Difficulty: Rookie
Springs the trap: White
The mistake: 3...Ne7?
The punishment: 4.Nf6#
Safe moves: Bg7, c6
Game: Reinle - Neureitser (1940)
Position before the mistake (FEN): rnbqkbnr/pppp1p1p/6p1/3Np3/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 1 3

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All Vienna Game traps · All opening traps

Frequently asked questions

What is the Vienna Game trap?

Vienna Game (C25) is a real game that ended in a trap. On move 3, Black played 3...Ne7? — a natural-looking move — and White replied 4.Nf6#. The result: White checkmates on move 4.

How do you avoid the Vienna Game trap?

Instead of 3...Ne7, safe options are Bg7, c6. The habit that saves you: before every natural-looking move, ask what your opponent’s best reply is — here it is 4.Nf6#.

How fast does the Vienna Game trap win?

White checkmates on move 4, after Black falls for 3...Ne7.

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