King Hunt - Chess Opening Trap

King Hunt

SCOTCH GAMBIT

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. d4 exd4

4. Bc4 Na5?

5. Bxf7+ Kxf7

6. Ne5+ Ke6

7. Qxd4 Nc6?

WHITE TO MOVE

Scenario: How many moves can Black afford to waste in an opening? He's moved his c6-Knight three times to be where it could get after one move. Black's King has had it: 8. Qd5+ Kf6 9.Qf7+ Kxe5 10. Bf4+ Kxe4 11. Nc3+ Kd4 12. Qd5 mate.

Interpretation: Black's Knight-jaunts on moves 4 and 7 ceded two important tempi to his opponent. At least Black could have stopped White's menaced d5-Queen check by 7....c7-c6 or 7....Ng8-f6. Kings shouldn't lead the charge in any kind of war. In chess, once a King is separated from its supporting forces, mate is almost always inevitable. "They are no kings, though they possess the crown" - Daniel Defoe.

(source: Chess Openings - Traps and Zaps by Bruce Pandolfini)