Ruy Lopez · 1900
The Noah’s Ark Trap
Teaching line — Three quiet pawns build a cage and a bishop drowns in it.
LevelBeginnerElo700–900ThemeTrapping piecesMoves11
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Moves · tap to jump
0/220/22
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Starting position
Ready
Press Auto-play to watch the game, or step move by move.
Main lesson
Count escape squares before you push a piece forward.
What your student should learn
- Count escape squares before advancing a piece.
- Pawns are excellent at trapping pieces.
- Do not grab a pawn if it costs a piece.
- Bishops need retreat squares on long diagonals.
Mini tournament checklist
- ✓ If my opponent pushes a pawn, where does my piece go?
- ✓ Does this piece have two safe squares?
- ✓ Am I capturing a pawn or walking into a cage?
- ✓ Are their pawns coming towards my bishop?
Run through this list before you start an attack in a real game. Mostly yes means look for tactics; otherwise improve one more piece first.
Full move list
A Normal Ruy Lopez
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The Greedy Recapture
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The Pawns Close In
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Note: Ask the student to find a square for the b3 bishop. There is none — that is the trap.