Queen's Gambit Declined, Rubinstein Trap

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Euwe – Rubinstein, 1928

White wins a pawn with 13.Nxd5

The Rubinstein Trap is a chess opening trap in the Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox Defense. Black loses a pawn after the characteristic move Nxd5 due to the threat of having his queen trapped on the back rank by Bc7. The queen is attacked by a white bishop while being hemmed in by its own pieces.

The trap takes its name from Akiba Rubinstein who had the misfortune of falling into it twice in the games Max Euwe–Rubinstein, Bad Kissingen 1928, and Alexander Alekhine–Rubinstein, San Remo 1930. Rubinstein was not the first to fall victim to the trap, as the first recorded game featuring the trap is Amos Burn–Heinrich Wolf, Ostend 1905.

Euwe – Rubinstein, 1928, began

1. Nf3 d5

2. c4 e6

3. d4 Nf6

Transposing into the Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox Defense.

4. Bg5 Nbd7

5. e3 Be7

6. Nc3 0-0

7. Rc1 c6

8. Bd3 a6

9. cxd5 exd5

10. 0-0 Re8

11. Qb3 h6

12. Bf4 Nh5?

(See diagram.) Black falls into the trap.

13. Nxd5

Now Black will lose a pawn after 13...Nxf4 14.Nxf4 or more after 13...cxd5 14.Bc7 when the black queen is trapped on the back rank by her own pieces.

References

Winter, Edward (2003). A Chess Omnibus. Russell Enterprises. ISBN 1-888690-17-8.