LESSONS: "How come they always play Kb1?"

If you've been playing for a while you no doubt have built up a whole slew of Tricks & Traps. And how did you ever manage to get that slew built up? Doubtless by falling into a number of them yourself (there's no memory quite so vivid as the heartbreak of stumbling into a cheapo). :)

Sadly, I was already a master (and playing in the last round, going for the bucks!) when I forgot all about The Reason They Always Play Kb1. I never would forget about it again though; having something like that happen to you OTB is practically like getting a T&T Vaccine.

My opponent--who I had played one of my first USCF games ever against 10 years before (and which was my only win against him)--and I just sat there laughing about it afterwards.

So there's your answer! If you don't want to end up hanging your queen (or something similarly dreary), get your king off that c1-h6 diagonal (and besides, you might need to protect a2). :)