Chess traps
The Fishing Pole Trap in the Ruy Lopez
The Fishing Pole is a trap in the Ruy Lopez Berlin where Black's knight goes to g4 and is left hanging after h3 and ...h5. If White takes it with hxg4, the h-file opens and Black's queen and rook mate on h2 or h1.
Example
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Ng4 5. h3 h5 6. hxg4 hxg4 7. Ne1 Qh4 8. f3 g3 9. d4 Qh1#
6.hxg4 takes the bait. After 6...hxg4 the knight on f3 is attacked and the h-file is open. 7.Ne1 Qh4 8.f3 g3 leaves no defense, and Qh1 is mate, protected by the rook on h8.
How the trap works
After 4.O-O Ng4 5.h3, Black ignores the threat to the knight and plays 5...h5. If White captures with 6.hxg4, Black recaptures with the pawn and suddenly has a half-open h-file aimed at White's castled king, with the rook already on h8. The pawn on g4 also attacks the knight on f3.
Wherever the knight goes, Black's queen comes to h4 and the threats on h2 and h1 are too strong. In the example, 8...g3 makes mate unstoppable.
Why the natural move fails and what to play instead
6.hxg4 looks like it simply wins a knight. The problem is that it opens the h-file in front of White's own king, and Black's rook on h8 is already on it. The engine rates the position after 6...hxg4 as clearly better for Black.
White should decline the piece. 6.d4 is strong: the center opens, Black's knight on g4 is still loose, and White keeps an advantage.
Is it a good trap for Black?
Not objectively. 4...Ng4 is a dubious move, and after 5.h3 h5 6.d4 White is better. It works best as a surprise against players who capture everything they are offered. Know it as White so you recognize the bait.
Common questions
Why is it called the Fishing Pole?
The knight on g4 is the bait and the h-pawn behind it is the line. When White takes the bait, the opened h-file reels in the king.
What if White plays 7.Nxe5 instead of 7.Ne1?
It does not help. After 7...Qh4 8.f3 g3, Black still threatens mate on h2 and h1, and White cannot cover both.
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