TacticForge

Lesson 2 of 4

Beginner

Meeting the Early Queen

A queen that comes out early can be chased around the board while you develop with gain of time. But it also sets traps: keep developing, and do not grab what it offers.

The queen is the strongest piece, which is exactly why bringing it out early is risky: every minor piece that attacks it wins a move, and a queen that has to keep running cannot help the other pieces develop. Against an early queen, the rule is to develop with threats.

The other side of the coin is that an early queen is often bait. The Englund Gambit and the Blackburne Shilling Gambit are dubious openings for Black, but both set traps for the player who forgets to develop: a careless bishop move, or one pawn too many, and the queen strikes.

This lesson is taught from White's side, with exercises from both sides of the traps. A move that works keeps the position; a move that fails loses (see "How these lessons were checked"). You get three conditions, each with a move that works and one that fails, the right way move by move, and five positions to solve.

The idea

A queen out hunting

In the Englund Gambit, Black's queen has taken the pawn on b2 and now attacks the rook on a1, while Black has developed only one knight.

Develop with gain of time

After 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Rb1 Qa3 White's pieces come out, and each one gains time against the queen.

The queen strikes

In the Blackburne Shilling Gambit, after 4.Nxe5? Qg5! the queen attacks the knight on e5 and the pawn on g2 at once.

Before you play it: the checklist

Each condition with two positions: one where it holds and the move works, one where it is missing and the same move fails. The number is Stockfish's evaluation after the move, from the attacker's side.

1.Develop, and keep your pieces guarded

Against a raiding queen, bring out a new piece. A move that leaves a piece loose gives the queen a target.

It works

6.Nc3+3.1

6.Nc3! develops and guards the rook, and White is clearly better.

It fails

6.Bc3−7.5

6.Bc3?? attacks the queen but leaves the bishop loose, and 6…Bb4! wins.

The engine prefers Nc3 (+3.3).

2.Keep chasing the queen

Each move that attacks the queen is a free move for your development.

It works

7.Rb1+3.3

7.Rb1 attacks the queen and keeps White clearly better.

It fails

7.Nd5+0.6

7.Nd5? lets Black trade on d2 and gives the queen time, and most of White's edge is gone.

The engine prefers Rb1 (+3.5).

3.Do not grab with the queen out

When the opponent's queen is active, make your king safe before you take anything else.

It works

5.O-O−0.5

5.O-O guards g2 and keeps White within a pawn of level.

It fails

5.Nxf7−8.7

5.Nxf7?? takes a pawn and attacks the rook, but 5…Qxg2 wins.

The engine prefers O-O (−0.3).

Move by move

Click a move or use the arrows. Under each note you'll find the defender's other choices and how to answer them. The number under the board is Stockfish's evaluation from the attacker's side.

Develop with tempo

The Englund Gambit: chasing the queen

+3.3
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.
  11. 6.
  13. 7.
  15. 8.
  17. 9.

5…Qxb2. The notes are on the highlighted moves.

Other moves here

Take the knight

The Blackburne Shilling: no bait taken

+1.6
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.
  11. 6.
  13. 7.

3…Nd4. The notes are on the highlighted moves.

Your turn

Each position has one best move. Find it, then check the solution.

Exercise 1

White to move. Black's queen attacks the rook on a1.

Show solution

6.Nc3

6.Nc3! develops and guards the rook. White is clearly better.

Englund Gambit.

Exercise 2

Black to move. White's bishop attacks the queen.

Show solution

6...Bb4

6…Bb4! pins the bishop on c3 to White's king, while the queen attacks the rook on a1, and Black wins material.

The Englund Gambit trap.

Exercise 3

Black to move. White has taken back on c3.

Show solution

8...Qc1#

8…Qc1#. The king on e1 has no way out.

The Englund Gambit trap.

Exercise 4

Black to move. White's knight attacks the rook on h8.

Show solution

5...Qxg2

5…Qxg2! attacks the rook on h1, and Black's attack is much stronger than White's knight.

Blackburne Shilling Gambit.

Exercise 5

Black to move. White has blocked the check with the bishop.

Show solution

7...Nf3#

7…Nf3#. White's own pieces block the king.

Blackburne Shilling Gambit.

From history

Englund and Blackburne

The main line of the Englund Gambit was introduced by Kārlis Bētiņš, also the father of the Latvian Gambit. It is named after the Swedish player Fritz Englund, who sponsored a thematic tournament in 1932 and 1933. The Blackburne Shilling Gambit owes its name to a legend: the English master Joseph Henry Blackburne is said to have used its trap to win a shilling a game from café visitors. Hooper and Whyld note that the trap still catches players, including two in successive rounds at Blackpool in 1987.

Take these into your games

Develop with threats

Against an early queen, bring out pieces that attack it. Every attack wins a move.

No loose pieces

A raiding queen looks for unguarded pieces. Keep yours protected.

King safety first

With the opponent's queen active, castle before grabbing material.

Beware the bait

A pawn left hanging in the opening is often a trap. Ask what the queen does after you take it.

Your own queen

The same rules apply to you: bring the queen out after the minor pieces, not before.