Chess in 40 SecondsDodge the Caro-Kann Smother
Black to move. Develop a knight safely.
Snort's queen sits on the e-file. One knight move loses at once.
Hint
Your king needs d7 as an escape square. Move that knight.
Answer
Ndf6 — Correct! Your king keeps d7, so Nd6 is no longer mate.
The tempting mistake
That knight is the wrong one: Nd6 is smothered mate. The e7 pawn is pinned.
The idea
When your e-pawn is pinned, leave your king an escape square.
This defense is one of 41 quick puzzles in the Chess in 40 Seconds trainer: find the move on the board, get a hint if you're stuck, and learn the idea so you never fall for it in your own games.