Opening Tactics - Part 4: Smothered Mates in the Opening

Opening Tactics - Part 4: Smothered Mates in the Opening

What is a Smothered Mate?

"In chess, a smothered mate is a rare checkmate delivered by a knight in which the mated king is unable to move because he is surrounded (or smothered) by his own pieces. In rare situations, the surrounding pieces may include an opponent's defended piece, which the king cannot capture. [...] Occasionally, a smothered mate may be possible in the opening of a game."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smothered_mate

The quickest Smothered Mate - Closed Sicilian Defense, Chameleon Variation:

It may come as a surprise, that a smothered mate in the opening can occur as early as move 6! Please note, that the player with the white pieces, who allowed himself to be checkmated here was rated 2420, which is IM level.

This was the quickest smothered mate I could find in my databases. If you can find a quicker one, please let me know!

Smothered Mate Trap in the Budapest Gambit, Rubinstein Variation:

A well known opening trap in the Budapest Gambit. I managed to beat at least two opponents like this in OTB blitz tournament games. Both were rated above 1700 Elo.

Smothered Mate Trap in the Two Knights Variation of the Caro Kann Defense:

Also a very famous opening trap, this time in the Two Knights Variation of the Caro Kann Defense. This has happened numerous times. The player winning with the White pieces in this example game was Paul Keres.

Smothered Mate Trap in the Modern Variation of the Caro Kann Defense:

The same motif we just looked at can also occur in the Modern Variation of the Caro Kann Defense. So if you have the Caro Kann Defense in your repertoire as Black this is a tactical pattern you really need to be aware of!

Smothered Mate Trap in the Blackburne Shilling Gambit:

The Blackburne Shilling Gambit is a rather dubious gambit, named after Joseph Henry Blackburne who was know for using this gambit to win Shillings from amateur players.

Do you know any more smothered mates that can occur in the opening? If you do, please let me know!

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