A poisoned pawn is a tactical trick used to bait an opponent into capturing a pawn that appears to be undefended, but in reality, the capture leads to a disadvantageous position. The concept of the poisoned pawn can be a potent weapon in the hands of a skilled chess player, capable of turning the game in their favor.
The poisoned pawn trap is typically set up by sacrificing a pawn, usually on the opponent’s queen-side, which seems to be undefended, but in reality, the pawn is poisoned. The term “poisoned” refers to the fact that capturing the pawn is dangerous for the opponent, as it can lead to a disadvantageous position. The poisoned pawn is not a specific opening or a variation, but rather a tactic that can be employed in any position.
Sometimes it is so tempting to capture an unprotected pawn that nobody is absolutely immune to doing so. Let me present the most interesting examples from our database:
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Game Four
Game Five
The poison pawn trap is a risky move as it involves sacrificing a pawn, which can lead to a loss of material. However, the sacrifice is not made blindly, and the player needs to analyze the position carefully before playing the poisoned pawn. The poisoned pawn is a double-edged sword, and if the opponent falls into the trap, it can lead to a decisive advantage for the player who set it up.