Noah's Ark Trap
One of the oldest known chess traps, where Black traps White's bishop behind a wall of pawns in the Ruy Lopez.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: The Noah's Ark Trap is said to be as old as the game itself, and the name suggests it has been around since antiquity. What I find remarkable is that it still works in modern games. The principle is timeless: a bishop that advances too deep into enemy territory without support can be entombed by marching pawns. I have trapped bishops this way, and I have had my own bishops trapped. The lesson never gets old.
What Is Noah's Ark Trap?
Noah's Ark Trap is one of the oldest recorded chess traps, dating back centuries. It occurs in the Ruy Lopez when White's light-squared bishop ventures to a4 (or b3) and becomes trapped by Black's advancing queenside pawns.
The basic pattern involves Black playing a6, b5, and c4 in sequence, creating a pawn chain that blocks all of the bishop's escape routes. Once the bishop is trapped on a4 or b3, Black wins a full piece for just a pawn or two.
The trap typically unfolds after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6, and at some point Black advances b5 and c4, caging the bishop. White must be aware of this possibility and time the bishop's retreat carefully.
The Bishop Gets Trapped
In this position, Black has advanced the pawns to a6, b5, and is preparing c4. White's bishop on a4 has no escape route. The pawn on b5 blocks Ba4-b3, and once c4 is played, the bishop is completely entombed.
The beauty of this trap is its simplicity. No sacrifices are required, no complex calculation is needed. Black simply pushes pawns forward and the bishop runs out of squares. It is a pure example of using pawn structure to trap a piece.
The bishop on a4 is running out of escape squares as Black's pawns advance.
How White Avoids the Trap
The simplest prevention is to retreat the bishop to b3 early, where it has the escape route Bc2 available. In most Ruy Lopez lines, White plays Bb3 before the bishop can be trapped, and from b3 the bishop is safe and well-placed.
Another approach is to exchange the bishop for the knight on c6 before the pawns advance. After Bxc6+ bxc6, White eliminates the trapping possibility entirely, although this changes the character of the position.
The key awareness for White is to always monitor the a4 bishop's escape routes. Before playing any other move, ask yourself: can my opponent play b5 and c4 and trap my bishop? If the answer is yes, retreat the bishop immediately.
Noah's Ark Trap FAQ
Why is it called Noah's Ark?
The name suggests the trap is as old as Noah's Ark itself, reflecting its ancient origins. It is one of the oldest documented tactical patterns in chess history and has been known for centuries.
Does this trap only occur in the Ruy Lopez?
The specific pattern is associated with the Ruy Lopez, but the general concept of trapping a bishop with advancing pawns appears in many openings. The French Defense and Queen's Gambit have similar bishop-trapping motifs.
How do strong players handle the Ruy Lopez bishop?
Strong players typically retreat to b3 early and maintain the Bc2 escape route. The bishop on b3 is actually well-placed, aiming at the f7 square, so the retreat is not a concession but good development.
Professor Archer says: Every Ruy Lopez player should know this trap, not just to avoid it as White, but to recognize when the pattern appears in other openings. Bishops getting trapped by advancing pawns is a universal theme. Once you understand Noah's Ark, you will start seeing similar patterns in the French Defense, the Queen's Gambit, and countless other openings.
Quick Quiz
In the Noah's Ark Trap, what combination of pawn moves traps White's bishop on a4?
- a6, b5, and c4, creating a pawn cage (Correct) - Correct. The sequence a6, b5, and c4 creates an advancing pawn chain that blocks every escape route for the bishop on a4. The bishop is trapped and lost.
- d5, e4, and f3, pushing pawns in the center - Center pawns do not trap the bishop on a4. The trap requires queenside pawns (a6, b5, c4) to block the bishop's diagonal escape routes.
- h6, g5, and f4, attacking on the kingside - Kingside pawn advances have nothing to do with trapping a bishop on the queenside. The Noah's Ark Trap uses the a, b, and c pawns.
- a5, b4, and c3, advancing on the wrong side - The correct pawn advances are a6, b5, and c4. The pawns need to advance on the correct squares to block the bishop's escape diagonals.