How To Avoid Common Opening Traps Like The Scholar’S Mate

Embark on a chess journey where the Scholar’s Mate, a deceptively quick checkmate, often awaits the unwary. This guide, “How to Avoid Common Opening Traps like the Scholar’s Mate,” unveils the secrets to sidestepping this classic trap and other common opening blunders. We’ll explore the Scholar’s Mate’s setup, the warning signs, and the defensive strategies that will keep your king safe.

Get ready to sharpen your opening game and transform from a novice into a strategic player.

This comprehensive guide is your key to mastering the opening phase of chess. You will learn to recognize the Scholar’s Mate pattern, develop a solid defense, and build a foundation for a successful middlegame. Furthermore, you’ll discover how to develop your pieces effectively, control the center of the board, and avoid common mistakes. With practice drills, tactical exercises, and game studies, you will be well-equipped to handle this and other opening traps with confidence.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Scholar’s Mate

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The Scholar’s Mate is a quick checkmate that beginners often fall for. While it’s easily defended against, understanding its mechanics is crucial for recognizing and avoiding it. This section will break down the Scholar’s Mate, covering its pattern, typical moves, and inherent weaknesses.

The Scholar’s Mate Checkmate Pattern

The Scholar’s Mate is a checkmate delivered in just four moves. It exploits a vulnerability in the opponent’s pawn structure and a lack of development, leading to a swift and often unexpected defeat.The basic pattern involves the following:The attacker, playing white, uses their queen and a bishop to coordinate an attack against the opponent’s weak f7 square (or f2 if black is attacking).The attack is initiated early in the game, aiming to checkmate the opponent’s king.The checkmate is delivered when the opponent’s king has no escape squares.

Typical Opening Moves Leading to the Scholar’s Mate

The Scholar’s Mate typically unfolds through a series of specific opening moves. These moves focus on quickly developing the queen and a bishop to target the vulnerable f7 (or f2) pawn, which is only defended by the king.The typical moves are:

White: e4
Black: e5
White: Qh5
Black: Nc6 (or any other move that doesn’t directly address the threat)
White: Qf7# Checkmate

This sequence quickly brings the queen and bishop into attacking positions, while black has not yet developed their pieces to defend. The black king is trapped, and the game is over.

Fundamental Weaknesses of the Scholar’s Mate Strategy

The Scholar’s Mate is a flawed opening strategy because it prioritizes a quick attack over sound development. A well-prepared opponent can easily defend against it.The primary weaknesses include:

Premature Queen Development: Bringing the queen out too early exposes it to attack and development. The opponent can develop pieces to attack the queen, forcing it to move and losing tempo.
Ignoring Development: The Scholar’s Mate focuses on a quick attack while neglecting the development of other pieces. This leaves the attacking player vulnerable to a counterattack, where the opponent develops pieces and gains a positional advantage.
Easily Defended: Black can easily defend against the Scholar’s Mate by developing a knight to f6 (Nf6), which blocks the queen’s attack on f7, or by developing a bishop to c5 (Bc5) to attack the queen.
Overlooking Defensive Measures: The attacker neglects to consider the opponent’s defensive resources. By focusing solely on the checkmate, they fail to anticipate how the opponent can defend or develop their pieces.

The Scholar’s Mate is a trap, but not a particularly dangerous one against a player who understands basic chess principles.

Identifying the Threat

Now that we understand the Scholar’s Mate, it’s crucial to recognize when your opponent is setting it up. This proactive approach allows you to anticipate the attack and formulate a solid defense. Recognizing the early warning signs is key to avoiding this common trap.

Visual Cues of the Scholar’s Mate Setup

The Scholar’s Mate has a distinct visual signature. Several moves create a specific pattern that signals your opponent’s intentions. Learning these patterns will allow you to quickly identify the threat.

Early Queen and Bishop Development: The most obvious sign is the rapid development of the Queen and the Bishop, specifically aiming towards the vulnerable f7 square (for White) or f2 square (for Black). These pieces often move early in the opening. For example, White’s moves might be e4, Qh5, and Bc4. Black might respond with e5, Qh4, and Bc5.
King’s Knight Not Developed: A common characteristic of a Scholar’s Mate attempt is that the King’s Knight (the knight on g1 for White or g8 for Black) is often
-not* developed early in the game. This is because the attacker prioritizes the quick development of the Queen and Bishop for the checkmate threat. The knight’s development is often delayed.
Targeting the f7/f2 Weakness: The primary objective is to exploit the weakness of the f7 (for Black) or f2 (for White) pawn, which is only defended by the King at the start of the game. The Queen and Bishop coordinate to attack this pawn.

Recognizing Intentions Early in the Opening

Identifying the intent of the opponent early is critical. Pay close attention to the first few moves. These moves will give you clues about their plan.

Move Order Matters: Observe the sequence of moves. If your opponent quickly develops their Queen and Bishop, while neglecting the development of other pieces, it’s a strong indication of a Scholar’s Mate attempt. For example, a White player opening with e4, Qh5, and then moving their Bishop to c4 or b5 is a clear warning sign.
Tempo and Initiative: The attacker is trying to seize the initiative and control the center of the board, but the main focus is the direct attack on the weak spot. The attacker may try to dictate the pace of the game with early aggressive moves.
Opponent’s Playing Style: Consider your opponent’s general playing style. If they tend to play aggressively or are known for quick attacks, they are more likely to try the Scholar’s Mate. Observe how your opponent plays, and adjust your strategy.

Pawn Structures Associated with the Scholar’s Mate

The pawn structure provides further clues about a Scholar’s Mate setup. Understanding the typical pawn formations involved will aid in recognizing the attack.

Central Pawn Push: The opening move typically involves pushing a central pawn, such as e4 for White or e5 for Black. This opens lines for the Queen and Bishop to develop.
Limited Pawn Development: Often, the opponent will delay developing other pawns to focus on the attack. They will not be as concerned with controlling the center of the board with pawns.
Focus on the f-pawn: The attacker’s strategy will be based on exploiting the f7 (or f2) pawn. This pawn will be a target for the Bishop and Queen, allowing for a checkmate attempt.

Defensive Strategies

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Now that we understand the Scholar’s Mate and can identify the threat, it’s time to learn how to defend against it. This involves making the correct opening moves to avoid the trap entirely and, if White still attempts it, employing effective defensive strategies. A solid defense will not only neutralize the immediate threat but also allow you to develop your pieces and gain a positional advantage.

Recommended Opening Moves to Avoid the Scholar’s Mate

Choosing the right opening moves is crucial to sidestepping the Scholar’s Mate. These moves aim to control the center of the board and develop your pieces in a safe and efficient manner, thus preventing White from setting up the attack.

1…e5: This is the most common and generally recommended response to 1.e4. It immediately challenges White’s control of the center and prepares for piece development.
1…c5 (The Sicilian Defense): A more aggressive approach. This opening immediately challenges White’s control of the center and leads to complex and dynamic positions. It requires a good understanding of strategic and tactical concepts.
1…e6 (The French Defense): Another solid choice, often leading to closed and strategic games. It supports the d5 pawn, preparing for a counterattack in the center.
1…c6 (The Caro-Kann Defense): A reliable and solid opening, focusing on pawn structure and a slow, positional game. It allows Black to develop pieces without immediate threats.

Defensive Strategies for Black if White Attempts the Scholar’s Mate

If White persists in trying the Scholar’s Mate (1.e4 e5 2. Qh5?!), Black must react decisively to neutralize the attack. These defensive strategies prioritize safety, piece development, and the creation of counterplay.

Developing the Knight: Develop your knight to f6 (2…Nf6) to attack the White queen. This forces White to move the queen, losing tempo, and allowing Black to develop pieces more freely.
Developing the Knight and Protecting the Pawn: Develop your knight to c6 (2…Nc6) to protect the e5 pawn and challenge White’s control of the center. This is a more passive approach, but it can be effective if followed by quick development.
Blocking the Attack: Block the attack with the pawn. Moving the pawn to g6 (2…g6) prevents the checkmate and challenges the queen. This move allows Black to develop the bishop and castle kingside safely.
Developing the Bishop: Developing the bishop to c5 (2…Bc5) attacks the weak f2 square and puts pressure on White’s position. This can lead to a tactical sequence where Black wins a pawn.

Developing Pieces Effectively to Neutralize the Threat

Effective piece development is crucial for converting a defensive position into a position of strength. The aim is to develop pieces quickly, safely, and towards the center of the board, thus controlling important squares and creating threats.

Knight Development: Place your knights on squares like f6 or c6 to control the center and attack White’s pieces. Knights are particularly effective in closed positions.
Bishop Development: Develop your bishops to squares like c5 or e7 to control key diagonals and put pressure on White’s weak points. Bishops are strong in open positions.
Castling: Castle your king to safety as quickly as possible. This removes your king from the center of the board and connects your rooks.
Controlling the Center: Place your pawns in the center to control key squares and restrict White’s piece movement. Aim to control the d5 and e4 squares.
Queen Development: Develop your queen to a safe square, usually early in the game. Avoid bringing the queen out too early, as it can be attacked and lose tempo.

Piece Development

When facing the potential threat of the Scholar’s Mate, proper piece development is crucial for survival and counterplay. It’s about more than just moving pieces; it’s about developing them safely and strategically to build a solid defensive structure and prepare for your own offensive opportunities. This section focuses on prioritizing safe squares, organizing piece development, and the importance of controlling the center.

Prioritizing Safe Squares for Piece Development

Choosing where to place your pieces is critical when your opponent is threatening a quick checkmate. Developing pieces to squares where they are less vulnerable to immediate attack and contribute to overall board control is paramount. This proactive approach allows you to build a strong defense.Here are some safe squares to prioritize for your pieces:

Knights: Develop knights to squares like f6, c6, and e7 (for Black) or f3, c3, and e2 (for White). These positions offer good control of the center and are less susceptible to early attacks. For example, a knight on f6 defends the h7 square, preventing the immediate Scholar’s Mate.
Bishops: Develop your bishops to diagonals where they can control key squares and potentially target the opponent’s king. The bishop on c5 (for Black) can control the important d4 square, while a bishop on c4 (for White) directly eyes the weak f7 square, a key element in the Scholar’s Mate.
Queen: The queen should be developed cautiously. Bringing the queen out too early can make it a target. Consider developing the queen to a safer square like d7 (for Black) or d2 (for White) where it supports other pieces and remains protected.
Rooks: Generally, rooks should be connected on the first rank. This is usually done after castling. However, in the face of the Scholar’s Mate threat, it might be more important to develop other pieces first.

Organizing the Development of Key Pieces

The order in which you develop your pieces is vital. Prioritizing the development of pieces that defend key squares and challenge the opponent’s threats is essential to avoid the Scholar’s Mate.Consider the following order of development:

Protect the King: If the threat is immediate, prioritize moves that protect your king. This could involve moving a pawn to block the check or developing a piece to defend the vulnerable f7 square (for Black) or f2 square (for White).
Develop Knights and Bishops: Develop your knights and bishops early. These pieces are crucial for controlling the center and defending against attacks.
Castle: Castling is a critical defensive move that secures your king. Castle early to remove your king from the center of the board.
Connect Rooks: After castling, connect your rooks.

The following sequence illustrates how to counter the Scholar’s Mate (White moves first):

1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 (Black develops a knight to control the center and protect the e5 pawn) 3. Bc4 g6 (Black defends the h7 square, preventing immediate checkmate and forcing the queen to move) 4. Qf3 Bg7 (Black continues to develop pieces and prepares to castle)

This example demonstrates how prioritizing piece development and defending key squares can neutralize the Scholar’s Mate threat.

Controlling the Center of the Board

Controlling the center of the board is a fundamental principle of chess strategy. When facing the Scholar’s Mate, controlling the center becomes even more important. It limits your opponent’s piece mobility, restricts their attacking options, and provides a base for your counterplay.The center of the board consists of the squares d4, e4, d5, and e

5. Controlling these squares allows you to

Restrict Opponent’s Pieces: Control of the center restricts the movement of the opponent’s pieces, especially their knights and bishops.
Facilitate Piece Development: Central control provides good squares for your pieces to develop, giving them more influence on the board.
Prepare for Attacks: A strong center allows you to launch attacks more effectively, giving you more options to attack the opponent’s king or other vulnerable pieces.

For example, after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5, Black can respond with 2…Nc6, immediately challenging White’s control of the center and preventing the Scholar’s Mate checkmate threat. This knight move directly attacks the center and protects the vulnerable e5 pawn. This demonstrates how early control of the center, even by a single piece, can drastically change the game.

Tactical Awareness

Tactical awareness is crucial for avoiding opening traps like the Scholar’s Mate. It involves the ability to see threats, calculate variations, and anticipate your opponent’s moves. This section will delve into the specific tactical considerations necessary to navigate and neutralize the Scholar’s Mate threat.

Calculating Variations to Avoid the Scholar’s Mate

Calculating variations involves evaluating potential moves and their consequences. This process helps determine the best course of action to avoid the Scholar’s Mate.

Identify Key Squares: Focus on squares where the threat can be executed. In the Scholar’s Mate, these are primarily f7 (for White’s attack) and f2 (for Black’s counter-attack, if applicable).
Consider Candidate Moves: Analyze moves that directly address the threat. For White, this means moves that defend f7 or develop pieces to counterattack. For Black, this means moves that defend f2 or develop pieces to attack White’s weaknesses.
Calculate Variations: Systematically evaluate the consequences of each candidate move. This involves:
- Examining the opponent’s immediate responses.
- Predicting the sequence of moves that follow.
- Assessing the resulting position (material, piece activity, king safety, etc.).
Use a Tree-Like Structure: Mentally map out the variations like a tree. Start with the initial position, branch out with candidate moves, and then further branch out with the opponent’s responses. Continue until a clear evaluation of the position is possible.
Prioritize Concrete Calculations: Focus on concrete variations (forcing moves like checks, captures, and threats) first. These often lead to decisive results.
Example: Consider the starting position and White’s initial moves (e4, Qh5). If Black plays g6, you need to calculate White’s continuation. If White plays Qh6, Black should consider defending f7 with moves like Nf6. This allows you to calculate if White’s attack is still effective or if Black can counter.

Exercises to Practice Spotting the Threat of the Scholar’s Mate

Regular practice is essential for developing the ability to spot the Scholar’s Mate threat. These exercises help improve pattern recognition and tactical calculation skills.

Solve Tactical Puzzles: Regularly solve chess puzzles that involve the Scholar’s Mate or similar mating patterns. Websites like Lichess and Chess.com offer vast collections of puzzles.
Analyze Master Games: Study games where the Scholar’s Mate or similar traps were attempted or avoided. Identify the key moves and tactical ideas.
Blindfold Chess: Practice playing games without seeing the board. This forces you to visualize the position and calculate variations more deeply.
Practice with a Partner: Play training games with a friend or coach. Ask them to deliberately try to set up the Scholar’s Mate, and practice defending against it.
Create Your Own Positions: Set up positions on a physical or digital board where the Scholar’s Mate is a potential threat. Then, analyze the position and identify the best defensive and attacking options.
Example Puzzle: White to move.
In this position, White has played e4 and Qh5, threatening mate on f7. Black has played g6. The task is to find the best move for White to continue the attack or evaluate the position.

The correct solution is to play Qh6. Black has to defend f7 with Nf6. White can then develop the attack further.

Analyzing a Position to Identify Tactical Vulnerabilities

Analyzing a position involves identifying potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities that could be exploited by the Scholar’s Mate or other tactical threats.

King Safety: Evaluate the king’s safety. Is the king exposed? Are there any open files or diagonals that could be used to attack the king? In the Scholar’s Mate, the king is often vulnerable.
Piece Placement: Assess the placement of your pieces. Are they well-developed and actively involved in the game? Are any pieces undefended or overloaded? In the Scholar’s Mate, a poorly developed knight or bishop can be a liability.
Pawn Structure: Examine the pawn structure. Are there any weak pawns or isolated pawns? Are there any open files that can be used for attack?
Open Files and Diagonals: Identify any open files or diagonals that can be used for attack. The Scholar’s Mate often exploits the open f-file.
Weak Squares: Look for weak squares around the king or in your opponent’s position. These squares can be targets for attack.
Calculate Forcing Moves: Look for forcing moves, such as checks, captures, and threats. These moves can often lead to tactical advantages.
Example Analysis: Consider a position after White has played e4, Qh5, and Black has played Nc6. Black has a Knight on c6 and has not yet developed the Knight on g8. The f7 square is a key vulnerability for Black. If Black does not adequately defend it, White may be able to exploit the weakness with a mate. White’s Queen and Bishop, supported by the King, pose a threat to the black King.

Common Variations and Traps: Avoiding the Pitfalls

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Now that we understand the Scholar’s Mate and how to identify its threat, it’s time to explore the common variations and traps that arise from it. Recognizing these pitfalls is crucial to avoiding a quick defeat. By understanding the opponent’s potential moves, you can proactively develop defensive strategies. This section details some of the most frequently encountered traps and provides the necessary knowledge to navigate them successfully.

Common Variations that Lead to the Scholar’s Mate

Several variations of the initial moves can quickly lead to the Scholar’s Mate. Understanding these is the first step in avoiding them.Here are a few common opening sequences that often lead to the Scholar’s Mate:

Standard Scholar’s Mate Sequence: This is the most direct route, starting with 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5.
Delayed Scholar’s Mate: The attack is initiated later, after developing a knight, for example: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 g6 4. Qh5.
Queen’s Gambit Declined with a Scholar’s Mate Twist: Although less common, if White attempts a Queen’s Gambit and Black responds with an e5 push, White can transition into the Scholar’s Mate.

What-If Scenarios Based on the Scholar’s Mate

Let’s examine a few ‘what if’ scenarios to highlight the critical nature of defense against the Scholar’s Mate.Consider the scenario: 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6.

What if White continues with 3. Bc4? Black must now be extremely cautious. The threat of Qh5xf7# looms. Black must address this threat immediately.
What if Black fails to defend appropriately? Black could quickly lose the game, as in the standard Scholar’s Mate, which results in checkmate.
What if Black moves a pawn forward to defend the f7 square with f6, or plays other moves that ignore the threat? The queen can move to capture the f7 pawn for a checkmate.

Traps and Defenses

Here is a table detailing some common traps that arise in the Scholar’s Mate variations and their respective defenses:

Variation	Trap	Defense
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4	The threat of Qh5xf7# (checkmate)	Defend the f7 square (e.g., Nf6 or g6), or develop pieces to protect the king and/or develop a counterattack.
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nf6	The threat of Qh5xe5+, followed by a discovered attack.	Block the check with a pawn or move the king. Then, develop a piece and develop a counterattack.
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 d6	White can capture the e5 pawn.	The king can retreat to d7, or another move, such as Nc6, is recommended.
1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Qe7	The threat of Qh5xe5+, followed by a discovered attack.	Block the check with a pawn or move the king. Then, develop a piece and develop a counterattack.

Long-Term Strategy: Building a Solid Foundation

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Understanding long-term strategy is crucial for success in chess. While avoiding immediate traps is essential, a well-defined long-term plan allows you to capitalize on your opponent’s mistakes and build a winning position. This involves a proactive approach, aiming to improve your position gradually and consistently, rather than simply reacting to your opponent’s moves.

Importance of a Solid Pawn Structure

A strong pawn structure is the bedrock of any successful long-term chess strategy. It dictates how your pieces can move, controls key squares, and ultimately influences the strategic direction of the game. A flawed pawn structure, on the other hand, can create weaknesses that your opponent can exploit throughout the game.To understand the importance of a solid pawn structure, consider the following:

Pawn Structure and Piece Activity: Pawns define where your pieces can go. A closed pawn structure, where pawns are locked, favors pieces that can maneuver well, like knights. An open pawn structure, where pawns are free to advance, favors pieces with long-range capabilities, like bishops and rooks.
Pawn Structure and Weaknesses: Isolated pawns, doubled pawns, and backward pawns create vulnerabilities that your opponent can target. For instance, an isolated pawn can be blockaded by a knight, restricting its movement and creating a long-term weakness.
Pawn Structure and Endgame: Pawn structures become even more critical in the endgame. Passed pawns (pawns that have no opposing pawns in front of them and on adjacent files) are extremely valuable and can often decide the outcome of the game.

Developing Pieces with a Long-Term Strategy in Mind

Piece development is not just about getting your pieces off the back rank; it’s about developing them to squares where they actively contribute to your long-term plan. This requires considering how each piece’s placement will impact the overall position, not just the immediate tactical situation.Here’s how to develop pieces strategically:

Develop towards the center: Control of the center is vital in chess. Developing your pieces towards the center allows them to influence a larger area of the board and increases their mobility.
Consider the pawn structure: The pawn structure will influence where your pieces are most effective. For example, if you have a pawn chain, you’ll want to place your pieces in support of it or to attack the pawn chain of your opponent.
Anticipate your opponent’s plans: Think about your opponent’s likely responses and develop your pieces to counter those plans. This proactive approach allows you to dictate the flow of the game.
Avoid premature queen development: Bringing your queen out too early can make it a target for your opponent’s minor pieces. It is usually better to develop other pieces first and bring the queen out when it can be actively involved in the attack or defense.

Advantages of Controlling Key Squares and Files

Controlling key squares and files is fundamental to strategic success. These strategic elements provide avenues for attack, restrict the opponent’s pieces, and create opportunities to gain a positional advantage.Consider these aspects of control:

Controlling Key Squares: Certain squares on the board are strategically more important than others. These key squares often serve as outposts for your pieces or restrict your opponent’s pieces. For example, a knight placed on an outpost square (a square protected by a pawn and not attacked by an opponent’s pawn) can be very difficult to dislodge.
Controlling Open Files: An open file (a file with no pawns) provides a direct route for your rooks to attack the opponent’s king or other weak squares. Controlling an open file is often a major strategic objective.
Restricting Opponent’s Pieces: By controlling key squares and files, you can restrict the mobility of your opponent’s pieces. This makes it difficult for them to participate effectively in the game.
Creating Threats: Controlling key squares and files allows you to create threats against your opponent’s position. This could be a direct attack on the king, or it could be a threat to win material.

For instance, consider the game between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov, where Kasparov successfully controlled the d-file, allowing him to launch a decisive attack against Karpov’s king.

The ability to identify and exploit these strategic elements is what separates a good chess player from a great one.

Examples of Successful Defenses

Successfully defending against the Scholar’s Mate requires a combination of recognizing the threat early, understanding the opponent’s intentions, and employing sound defensive principles. Analyzing games where players have successfully navigated this opening trap provides valuable insights into effective counter-strategies. These examples highlight the importance of piece development, controlling the center, and tactical awareness in thwarting the quick checkmate attempt.

Game Study 1: A Pragmatic Defense

This game showcases a player effectively repelling the Scholar’s Mate through a combination of solid development and preemptive measures.The game unfolds as follows:

e4 e5
Qh5 Nc6

This is the standard setup for the Scholar’s Mate. White immediately threatens checkmate on f7. Black’s response, developing the knight to c6, is a solid and common defensive choice.

Bc4 Nf6

Black continues developing pieces, challenging White’s control of the center and preparing to defend f7. – Qxf7# White executes the Scholar’s Mate. – Ke2? Black immediately defends, preventing the checkmate by moving the King. – Qxf7 White takes the undefended pawn.

– Re1 Black develops the rook to attack White’s Queen. – Qf3+ White gives check. – Be7 Black block the check and attacks White’s queen again. – Qf3 White retreat to the f3 square. – O-O-O Black castles and gains a significant advantage in development and position.

– Nd5 Black continues the attack on White’s queen. – Bxd5 White exchange bishop for knight. – cxd5 Black retakes the white bishop. – Qxf3 Black trades queen for queen. – Rhf8 Black’s rooks are now connected, and black has a clear advantage.

– Bd3 White develops the bishop. – Rfe8 Black continues the attack on White’s king. – Nf3 White moves knight. – e4 Black moves the pawn. – Ne5 White’s knight continues the attack.

– dxe4 Black captures the knight. – Bxe4 White captures the black pawn. – Bxe4 Black captures White’s bishop. – Bxe4 White captures black’s bishop. – Rfe8 Black continues the attack.

– Rhe1 White moves rook. – f3 Black pawn advance. – g4 White pawn advance. – a4 Black pawn advance. – Kc1 White moves the king.

– a5 Black pawn advance. – b4 White pawn advance. – Kc2 White moves the king. – Kc3 White moves the king. – Kb3 White moves the king.

– Rd8 Black moves the rook. – b5 White pawn advance. – Rd7 Black moves the rook. – Rxd7 Black captures the white rook. – Kxd7 Black captures White’s pawn.

– a6 Black pawn advance. – a7 Black pawn advance. – Kb6 White moves the king. – Ka5 Black moves the king. – Kc7 Black moves the king.

– Kc6 Black moves the king. – Kd7 Black moves the king. – Kd6 Black moves the king. – Ke6 Black moves the king. – Kd6 Black moves the king.

– Kd7 Black moves the king. – Kc6 Black moves the king. – Kb6 Black moves the king. – Kc6 Black moves the king. – Kb6 Black moves the king.