Traps in the French Advance Variation

by Michael Prusikin

For almost two decades - since issue CBM #113 (August 2006) - Rainer Knaak compiled collections of opening traps from current tournament practice for each new issue of ChessBase Magazine. He usually presented three of the eight to ten traps per issue in video format. Some of his contributions dealt with completely new opening traps, while others provided updates and in-depth analyses of previous analyses from his column. At the end of 2024, Rainer Knaak handed over his column to Michael Prusikin.

The new author not only changes the face of the column, but also the format. In this and future issues, the GM will present three traps from a specific opening area. From the next issue onwards, interactive elements will also be integrated to optimise the learning effect.

Michael Prusikin's first article for ChessBase Magazine is about traps for White in the French Advance Variation.

Trap 1: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Nge7 6.Na3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Nf5 8.Nc2 Be7 9.Bd3

Trap 2: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Bd7 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3 Bb5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.b4

Trap 3: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Be2 Qb6 7.0–0 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nge7 9.Na3 Nf5 10.Nc2 Be7 11.Bd3!