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The Magnus Smith Trap is a sequence of moves, is found in the Sicilian Defence. It's named after a three-time Canadian Chess champion, Magnus Smith (1869-1934). The trap occurs in the Sozin Variation of the Sicilian This trap creates many dangerous lines for White, and Black should avoid it. There's a couple ways to do this. First, the trap cannot be sprung so long as Black maintains the Knight on c6. It's not possible to always keep the Knight, but it's a useful thing to keep in mind when (or if) you lose the Knight. Second, if you DO lose the Knight on c6, realize that Nf6 is asking for trouble. The most obvious way to prevent this trap, is actually simply play e6, instead of Nf6. This prevents the Bxf7 line, which is really, the main danger of the trap. The other obvious thing is, be aware of the fact that the Queen can be trapped if you play the appealing, but hopeless, Qa5 . Perhaps the most interesting thing about the trap: You can transpose to situations where you can play it in other Sicilian variations. The fundamental keys to this trap being present: Black having played: Nf6 and d6; while missing the Knight on c6 and not having moved the Queen or King. White having played: Nxc6 at some point (or the Nc6 never having been played), Bc4 and e4 being played.
