Key Trap Line in the Ruy Lopez
Main line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.Nxe5 Qd4
Annotated Trap Moves (from 1.e4 PGN)
Click any move row to load that position on the board. These notes explain in simple language why 5.Nxe5 does not really win a pawn.
1.e4
White starts with 1.e4, taking space in the centre and opening lines for the queen and bishop.
1...e5
Black copies White in the centre and also opens lines for their pieces.
2.Nf3
White attacks the e5-pawn and develops a knight toward the centre, getting ready to castle.
2...Nc6
Black defends the e5-pawn with a knight and brings another piece into the game.
3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez. White pins the knight on c6, which helps protect the e5-pawn.
3...a6
Black attacks the bishop, asking White to decide what to do with it.
4.Bxc6
White takes on c6. This damages Black's pawn structure, but White must be careful not to get greedy.
4...dxc6
Black recaptures toward the centre. The doubled pawns look weak, but Black keeps good control of important squares.
5.Nxe5
White grabs the pawn on e5, hoping to be a pawn up. This move looks tempting, but it walks into a tactical trick.
5...Qd4
Black plays Qd4!, attacking both the knight on e5 and the pawn on e4. Black will get the pawn back with a strong position, so 5.Nxe5 was a mistake.