Ur explanation is excellent; you don't speak too fast, you give a little background, and it seems like you know what you're talkin about. Two thumbs up!
Thanks dgrakovsky - I especially like how the trap doesn't put you into a poor position. It's one that has no risk in that if the opponent knows it and avoids it the position will still be equal to work from.
Excellent comment Greg and I agree. Any advantage is good, no matter how big or how small, and psychology is huge - if it wasn't we would all play like the best engines and constantly have drawn games at the top levels of chess.
Thanks King! Basically the engines score advantage for white when their numbers are in the positive for possible lines and advantage for black when the numbers are in the negative. 1 point is basically a pawn's worth of material, so for example if an engine says (3.45) it would be a 3 and a half material advantage to white, even if material was technically equal (or not).
Thanks for checking it out freeroneal! I know where you are coming from, as I have a similar challenge in terms of over-the-board chess in my area. I definitely recommend online play (but only rated and on a decent server otherwise you will play computers most of the time).
Actually the Cambridge Springs defence scores better results in terms of database win percentages than the Orthodox defence. This coupled with a more favorable engine analysis just highlights the point that it is a slightly stronger option. And yes the first series of moves of the Cambridge Springs line are included in the video, but the overall emphasis (and time) is spent on the trap line itself.
It's a great try for blitz games. As for long time control tournament games, I don't think very many traps would work - but it doesn't hurt to know them in case the opportunity presents itself. Knowing a variety of traps is great for blitz though - no doubt about it.
That can definitely be played jaysnthekim, but it invites the bishop to capture and the resulting positions and lines favor white. For instance, 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nxd5 Qd6 8. e4 c6 and white is up a pawn and in a strong position.
The cambridge springs defence looks alot like the semi slav defence just played differently. Great vid, and It really helps because against the gambit I play the slav, which starts out the same.
Engines have a hard time in the opening? Maybe back in the day when they were being refined, but if GM's can't beat them any longer then I think that all aspects of their tactical assessment of positions (opening, middle game, and endgame) are at the very least reliable.
Pawn to H6 could technically be played, but it is actually a harmful move to black's position. It gives a very early advantage to white out of the opening. Thanks for commenting and checking out the vid!
"If white were think a few more move ahead..." Ya know, that line reminded me of a figure I heard once: An average to good chess player can think 2-3 moves ahead, where as a Grandmaster thinks up to 20 moves ahead. I really enjoyed this video specifically, since it gave me a very good idea of HOW to think more than 5 moves ahead.
I don't think anti-computer strategies have worked against the strongest computer chess engines for quite some time now. The main engines score consistent wins or draws against Grandmasters. I don't think I overvalue their position analysis, but I definitely give it credit where credit is due, specifically in opening analysis. Thanks for the comment and checking out the vid!
@SeedsofJoy the only thing i would watch out for would be if the bishop could perhaps pin the queen down its a playable move but you still need to be aware that your queen can be lost
@ModderXtr The trap depends on white trying to win the pawn on d5. With the knight on f3 instead of c3, white only attacks the pawn once. Since it is defended once, there is no trap to fall into. Nf3 is a perfectly good move. It just doesn't help set this particular trap.
I see the bishop developed in that position fairly often, but after that a lot of the time white continues with development instead of snagging the "easy" pawn. That being said - it's nice to have that little line ready for those that do try to pick it up. =)
The Springs line tends to have a higher success rate compared to the orthodox from modern databases, however, both are playable. As I said in the video though, a person might as well play the strongest option given a choice. But it should be said that both create different types of positions, and a person might be more comfortable with the positions that arise from the Orthodox. That becomes a matter of personal preference.
Wow, there were so many times i got into this situation, not knowing how to counter it! This helped a lot and I'm sure that I will be using this a lot in the future! Thank you! :)
'Queen' is because it is an opening that starts with the queen-pawn (the pawn in front of the queen), 'gambit' is because white is offering a pawn as a gambit, 'declined' is because, in this particular opening, black does not accept the gambit pawn (he declines it). Im not sure about elephant, but I think i might be because you have to be somewhat of en elephant (slow) to fall for the trap.
Yes, I agree with you. The Springs is a sharper opening, and has a lot of traps. but against proper play by White, it's just like every other lines. I actually prefer the Orthodox defence, because I find it easier to free the white square bishop than with the Springs. Also, it is quieter.
Unorthodox moves often have their drawbacks. You'd have to be slightly more specific in order for anyone to tell much of anything. Find the weakness and take advantage of them. A good example is when someone plays 2. Bc4 in the sicilian defense as white. It's pretty unorthodox because it often gives black the center and white loses time moving his bishop around. But that doesn't mean that I haven't lost against that opening. I've just learned how to play against it and reach equality quickly.
in that elephant trap.. if you look on the end game.. still the white is advantage.. the next white move is e4.. the knight will only run.. and where he runs the pawn will chase it.. and establish a good position.. and when the knight goes to f6.. the bishop or the pawn on f3 will just protect the e4 pawn.. just what i think.. can you elaborate more..
even so, if your game goes down similar lines, it's good to know which moves gives the edge to your opponent. for example, if you don't play Nf3 in the queen's gambit lines with me, it can result in the Albin Counter-gambit, which i have won several games because there are several ways for white to go wrong, and black gains an advantage. playing c4 weakens d4. you could go into the lasker trap lines, which is fatal for white. ive had that happen too.
IMO a problem with the Cambridge-Springs is that the queen's bishop is a little awkward to develop. I think it's best for black to play the Slav, which is 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 .
Thank you so much Jrobi. Im just curious about one thing. What happens if white pushes the pawn in front of the knight two squares at the beginning of the game. Can you please let me know a move i can do. because i am always clueless when that happens. If you have anything that you reccomend can you please reply to this comment. Because i am horrible at chess. And i really want to get better at chess. Jrobi. You are the best chess teacher I have ever met. I am being really honest. Thans again.
"The engines give this a 3-point advantage" I hear that kind of line a lot. What computer are you using to come up with that? I'm a beginner by tournament/competitive standards, but I'm looking to buy a computer program or two to help my develop my game. Thanks! Nice vid.
Actually, black can hold onto the pawn if he really wants to. Also, if it is one tenth of a pawn advantage, it is 10 "centipawns". Good trap, but both cambridge springs and orthodox seem to give white a space advantage. I suggest albin countergambit or symmetrical defense.
After Knight to D7 white instead of taking that pawn like a greedy little fool should move e2 pawn to e3 therefore opening up an escape for the king when the trap line starts. I can't seem to figure out a good counter to when white makes that e2 to e3 move, and once that is made I find myself being at a huge disadvantage (me being black). So if you have any tips on what to do when they do this move, it would be greatly appreciated.
Why Nd7? Why not Nc6... wouldn't that allow for the same trap but with the additional advantage of having the knight available to capture the bishop at the end of the line, thereby retaining blacks ability to castle? what am i missing?
the bastards on xbox live were always using the queens gambit on me. i was never that sure what to do. this has helped enormously thankyou jrobi and god bless youtube
I like to play the semi-slav and the baltic defense against the queen pawn. (Although the baltic defense can be completely refuted I can transpose into a slav-like position with a developed light-square bishop)
im a noob in chess..Can someone explain to me why when white moves his bishop to G5, black doesnt move his pawn from h7 to h6 to get the bishop out of the way?
From a practical standpoint, it's probably best for White to avoid the Cambridge Springs by playing 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.cxd5 exd5 6.e3! (less committal than 6.Nf3, and of course not 6.Nxd5??) c6, which is a Queen's Gambit Exchanged mainline - very key that Black knows how to play this!
The orthodox line is a VERY strong defence, that can give rise to the Lasker, the Capablanca and the Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky lines, and has been used by several world champions. Actually the Cambrige Springs is a bit inferior. Forget the computer lines! :-)
Bishop to d7 works much better than knight as the knight there blocks the bishop whereas the bishop there is two moves from castling(if the elephant trap is declined) and the bishop can come in on a few diagonals.
2:50, isn't it better to take the bisshop and afterwards the queen? If queen takes your bisshop you threaten a fork with the night after taking the queen. The answer to this is to castle long instead of taking bishop. Then, after black takes queen, white would be better in development. (RXD2)
Initially i thought your idea was indeed better. But taking the queen first, forces the Black King to move (take the Bishop) and thereby forfait his right to castle. That's a stronger move than the 'future threat of a fork'
I am at 1600 rating and ratio of queen's pawn over king's pawn is 1- 19 .. Is that different on games higher than 1900, or is it just me facing guys that the only opening they are aware of is e5?
2:50, isn't it better to take the bisshop and afterwards the queen? If queen takes your bisshop you threaten a fork with the night after taking the queen. Great video!
Queen's Gambit Declined Elephant Trap Queen because is a queen opening. Gambit = offering a pawn as a sacrifice some times you get it back, some times you dont. depending on the opening. Declined = he didnt accepted the pawn Elephant = bishop name in russia, most likely this line was born there trap = because you can make a trap. So resuming, this is called Queens gambit declined. "Bishop trap". (you get 2 pawns in advantage with this opening.
Ooh easy to remember :D thanks this is great video. Yeah Queen's Gambit is used alot but now as i tried nobody started using Queen's Gambit, lol strange =)
I play Queen's Gambit as white quite a bit. Probably my favourite opening. Good to know about this trap! Didn't know about it and haven't been caught by it as I would not normally play 4.Bg5. I'd prefer 4. cxd4 or 4. Nf3 (Don't play 1d4 d5 as black I find Keres defence, Benoni, King's Indian and Modern defence much better)
For starters jrobi gives no real assesment of this position, just a couple of traps. The orthodox has very few traps. For instance, the main line of the orthodox is 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. O-O e5 (there are of course other replies for white but this is just an example), and black is solid. Computers cannot assess openings properly, most GMs play 1.e3 and 2. d3 and 3. g3 against computers and often win.
@swish1234567890 if black uses c6 then the elephant trap wouldn't work because black's dark-squared bishop can't give check and take queen because it is blocked by the c-pawn.
If everyone always played lines that failed to give any advantage, every game of chess on a high level would end in a draw. Psychology is still important in chess... Throwing an opponent off balance with a move they haven't seen is sometimes more valuable than playing the "strongest" move.
Ur explanation is excellent; you don't speak too fast, you give a little background, and it seems like you know what you're talkin about. Two thumbs up!
Thanks dgrakovsky - I especially like how the trap doesn't put you into a poor position. It's one that has no risk in that if the opponent knows it and avoids it the position will still be equal to work from.
Excellent comment Greg and I agree. Any advantage is good, no matter how big or how small, and psychology is huge - if it wasn't we would all play like the best engines and constantly have drawn games at the top levels of chess.
Thanks King! Basically the engines score advantage for white when their numbers are in the positive for possible lines and advantage for black when the numbers are in the negative. 1 point is basically a pawn's worth of material, so for example if an engine says (3.45) it would be a 3 and a half material advantage to white, even if material was technically equal (or not).
Thanks for checking it out freeroneal! I know where you are coming from, as I have a similar challenge in terms of over-the-board chess in my area. I definitely recommend online play (but only rated and on a decent server otherwise you will play computers most of the time).
It's definitely a sharp and dynamic opening! Thanks for checking out the vid!
Actually the Cambridge Springs defence scores better results in terms of database win percentages than the Orthodox defence. This coupled with a more favorable engine analysis just highlights the point that it is a slightly stronger option.
And yes the first series of moves of the Cambridge Springs line are included in the video, but the overall emphasis (and time) is spent on the trap line itself.
It's a great try for blitz games. As for long time control tournament games, I don't think very many traps would work - but it doesn't hurt to know them in case the opportunity presents itself. Knowing a variety of traps is great for blitz though - no doubt about it.
That can definitely be played jaysnthekim, but it invites the bishop to capture and the resulting positions and lines favor white. For instance, 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nxd5 Qd6 8. e4 c6 and white is up a pawn and in a strong position.
The cambridge springs defence looks alot like the semi slav defence just played differently. Great vid, and It really helps because against the gambit I play the slav, which starts out the same.
I hope you had something to wash it down with quick after typing! =) Thanks for the comment and checking out the vid KazaBullx!
Engines have a hard time in the opening? Maybe back in the day when they were being refined, but if GM's can't beat them any longer then I think that all aspects of their tactical assessment of positions (opening, middle game, and endgame) are at the very least reliable.
Pawn to H6 could technically be played, but it is actually a harmful move to black's position. It gives a very early advantage to white out of the opening. Thanks for commenting and checking out the vid!
Thanks for the comment pinkyfrogs23 - at what time stamp in the vid are you looking at for that idea?
"If white were think a few more move ahead..." Ya know, that line reminded me of a figure I heard once: An average to good chess player can think 2-3 moves ahead, where as a Grandmaster thinks up to 20 moves ahead.
I really enjoyed this video specifically, since it gave me a very good idea of HOW to think more than 5 moves ahead.
I don't think anti-computer strategies have worked against the strongest computer chess engines for quite some time now. The main engines score consistent wins or draws against Grandmasters. I don't think I overvalue their position analysis, but I definitely give it credit where credit is due, specifically in opening analysis. Thanks for the comment and checking out the vid!
I saw a lot of your clips and just wanted to say: Thank you very, very much!! :)
Regards from Germany!! :)
@SeedsofJoy the only thing i would watch out for would be if the bishop could perhaps pin the queen down its a playable move but you still need to be aware that your queen can be lost
There are a number of solid ones - but I am not sure if the main retail ones work under linux or not.
Yes - maybe you are thinking of the King's Gambit? 1. E4 E5 2. F4 - that would be the King's Pawn first, then the gambit pawn to F4.
@ModderXtr The trap depends on white trying to win the pawn on d5. With the knight on f3 instead of c3, white only attacks the pawn once. Since it is defended once, there is no trap to fall into. Nf3 is a perfectly good move. It just doesn't help set this particular trap.
I see the bishop developed in that position fairly often, but after that a lot of the time white continues with development instead of snagging the "easy" pawn. That being said - it's nice to have that little line ready for those that do try to pick it up. =)
I've read three books on chess but this video helped more than all three of those books combined!!
The Springs line tends to have a higher success rate compared to the orthodox from modern databases, however, both are playable. As I said in the video though, a person might as well play the strongest option given a choice. But it should be said that both create different types of positions, and a person might be more comfortable with the positions that arise from the Orthodox. That becomes a matter of personal preference.
Wow, there were so many times i got into this situation, not knowing how to counter it! This helped a lot and I'm sure that I will be using this a lot in the future! Thank you! :)
'Queen' is because it is an opening that starts with the queen-pawn (the pawn in front of the queen), 'gambit' is because white is offering a pawn as a gambit, 'declined' is because, in this particular opening, black does not accept the gambit pawn (he declines it). Im not sure about elephant, but I think i might be because you have to be somewhat of en elephant (slow) to fall for the trap.
Excellent discussion and good feedback SombreSeraph!
Definitely an option in the positon medra1980 - thanks for checking out the vid!
@jakefreakinclark Chess engines. That's another way to call the chess playing software packages such as Chessmater or Fritz.
Yes, I agree with you.
The Springs is a sharper opening, and has a lot of traps. but against proper play by White, it's just like every other lines. I actually prefer the Orthodox defence, because I find it easier to free the white square bishop than with the Springs. Also, it is quieter.
Unorthodox moves often have their drawbacks. You'd have to be slightly more specific in order for anyone to tell much of anything. Find the weakness and take advantage of them.
A good example is when someone plays 2. Bc4 in the sicilian defense as white. It's pretty unorthodox because it often gives black the center and white loses time moving his bishop around. But that doesn't mean that I haven't lost against that opening. I've just learned how to play against it and reach equality quickly.
Thanks for the comment and checking it out eisaatappaa!
in that elephant trap.. if you look on the end game.. still the white is advantage.. the next white move is e4.. the knight will only run.. and where he runs the pawn will chase it.. and establish a good position.. and when the knight goes to f6.. the bishop or the pawn on f3 will just protect the e4 pawn.. just what i think.. can you elaborate more..
even so, if your game goes down similar lines, it's good to know which moves gives the edge to your opponent. for example, if you don't play Nf3 in the queen's gambit lines with me, it can result in the Albin Counter-gambit, which i have won several games because there are several ways for white to go wrong, and black gains an advantage. playing c4 weakens d4. you could go into the lasker trap lines, which is fatal for white. ive had that happen too.
IMO a problem with the Cambridge-Springs is that the queen's bishop is a little awkward to develop. I think it's best for black to play the Slav, which is 1. d4 d5
2. c4 c6 .
That's great lutzzze! I can almost picture in my mind your opponent's smile turning to a look of stunned surprise. =)
That's great coolking49! I am going to check into the semi-slav and see the similarities.
What happens after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4?
My chess tutor says that this is the right way to play against the Queen's Gambit. Is he right?
+Kyle Ng chess is a logic game as long as it works it doesnt matter
Thank you so much Jrobi. Im just curious about one thing. What happens if white pushes the pawn in front of the knight two squares at the beginning of the game. Can you please let me know a move i can do. because i am always clueless when that happens. If you have anything that you reccomend can you please reply to this comment. Because i am horrible at chess. And i really want to get better at chess. Jrobi. You are the best chess teacher I have ever met. I am being really honest. Thans again.
@pedronetomoreira hey man i read ur comment and i got curiosity of what you said, which is the tartakower-makogonov-bondarevsky lines? plz respond,
"The engines give this a 3-point advantage"
I hear that kind of line a lot. What computer are you using to come up with that? I'm a beginner by tournament/competitive standards, but I'm looking to buy a computer program or two to help my develop my game.
Thanks!
Nice vid.
Actually, black can hold onto the pawn if he really wants to. Also, if it is one tenth of a pawn advantage, it is 10 "centipawns". Good trap, but both cambridge springs and orthodox seem to give white a space advantage. I suggest albin countergambit or symmetrical defense.
Hello-was wondering what chess engine you use and recommend,thank you!-paultnt.
Thanks for checking it out panthersx!
Jrobichess is using Rybka 3 Aquarium I believe. I'm not sure if he is using the demo version or a purchased version.
what is the "engine" that gets talked about? Is it something you can plug the moves into?
Awesome! I will probably watch a lot more of these to learn =0
Really good strategy
After Knight to D7 white instead of taking that pawn like a greedy little fool should move e2 pawn to e3 therefore opening up an escape for the king when the trap line starts. I can't seem to figure out a good counter to when white makes that e2 to e3 move, and once that is made I find myself being at a huge disadvantage (me being black). So if you have any tips on what to do when they do this move, it would be greatly appreciated.
Are these analysis engines you use also for Linux? I only know of crafty and gnuchess.
Why Nd7? Why not Nc6... wouldn't that allow for the same trap but with the additional advantage of having the knight available to capture the bishop at the end of the line, thereby retaining blacks ability to castle? what am i missing?
what's the positional advantage that white gains from the orthodox defense??
jrobi did you remove the queensgambit opening?
And if against knight f6,black plays bishop b4,what then?
the bastards on xbox live were always using the queens gambit on me. i was never that sure what to do. this has helped enormously thankyou jrobi and god bless youtube
I like to play the semi-slav and the baltic defense against the queen pawn. (Although the baltic defense can be completely refuted I can transpose into a slav-like position with a developed light-square bishop)
Wow! As white i love playing queen's gambit. I wasn't aware of this trap. Thanks a lot!
since white would end up with one extra pawn that can potentially be placed in the center. Controlling the center is an advantage.
Indeed thats something to have seen for a chess player.
I have never seen that series of moves been called the elephant trap before though.
what would you do if white moves knight to f3 instead of knight to c3?
I'm trying to find a strong opening move for white's or black's bishops and queen. Any suggestions?
this is amazing. In fact it's the video that has finally gotten me to subscribe lol
what if pond on b2 moves when the night should
im a noob in chess..Can someone explain to me why when white moves his bishop to G5, black doesnt move his pawn from h7 to h6 to get the bishop out of the way?
Thanks for checking it out and commenting scionofslytherin - I appreciate that!
From a practical standpoint, it's probably best for White to avoid the Cambridge Springs by playing 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.cxd5 exd5 6.e3! (less committal than 6.Nf3, and of course not 6.Nxd5??) c6, which is a Queen's Gambit Exchanged mainline - very key that Black knows how to play this!
what if the pawn on a2 is moved up to a3 before an attack? this kinda falls apart then :/ other than that its super cool
The orthodox line is a VERY strong defence, that can give rise to the Lasker, the Capablanca and the Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky lines, and has been used by several world champions. Actually the Cambrige Springs is a bit inferior. Forget the computer lines!
:-)
hey, most people will just play black pawn H6 and force bishop back... am I missing something here ? ?
Bishop to d7 works much better than knight as the knight there blocks the bishop whereas the bishop there is two moves from castling(if the elephant trap is declined) and the bishop can come in on a few diagonals.
2:50, isn't it better to take the bisshop and afterwards the queen? If queen takes your bisshop you threaten a fork with the night after taking the queen.
The answer to this is to castle long instead of taking bishop. Then, after black takes queen, white would be better in development. (RXD2)
Initially i thought your idea was indeed better. But taking the queen first, forces the Black King to move (take the Bishop) and thereby forfait his right to castle. That's a stronger move than the 'future threat of a fork'
I am at 1600 rating and ratio of queen's pawn over king's pawn is 1- 19 .. Is that different on games higher than 1900, or is it just me facing guys that the only opening they are aware of is e5?
Thanks for checking it out StrokaviMozak!
What about Bb4 instead of cambridge or orthodox?
can this be considered the semi sla as well?
what is the point of knight to D7?
1:34 what if he pushes pawn h7?
What is black puts its black bishop to E7? or is that nooby :/
2:50, isn't it better to take the bisshop and afterwards the queen? If queen takes your bisshop you threaten a fork with the night after taking the queen. Great video!
semi slav* = cambridge spring?
Why not pawn to c5 instead of c6?
it sets the trap, blocks the queen from defending the pawn, giving the illusion to white that it's an easy capture for material advantage
why didnt white play pawn C5?
What if white doesn't take on d5??
That's awesome GMorganis!
nice one, this is my favorite opening ever...
Which one do you use?
very nice like the way you explain the opening.....
Why do they call it an "elephant" trap?
Queen's Gambit Declined Elephant Trap
Queen because is a queen opening.
Gambit = offering a pawn as a sacrifice some times you get it back, some times you dont. depending on the opening.
Declined = he didnt accepted the pawn
Elephant = bishop name in russia, most likely this line was born there
trap = because you can make a trap.
So resuming, this is called
Queens gambit declined. "Bishop trap". (you get 2 pawns in advantage with this opening.
Ooh easy to remember :D thanks this is great video.
Yeah Queen's Gambit is used alot but now as i tried nobody started using Queen's Gambit, lol strange =)
Awesome trap....Never knew about this trap...
I'm sorry: it doesn't 'mean', its our equivalent nowadays for their 4th army. They counted elephants and horses for 2, I think.
why not pawn to h6?
I play Queen's Gambit as white quite a bit. Probably my favourite opening. Good to know about this trap! Didn't know about it and haven't been caught by it as I would not normally play 4.Bg5. I'd prefer 4. cxd4 or 4. Nf3 (Don't play 1d4 d5 as black I find Keres defence, Benoni, King's Indian and Modern defence much better)
Excellent comment Castle!
I wonder if Jrobi is still playing chess...
For starters jrobi gives no real assesment of this position, just a couple of traps. The orthodox has very few traps. For instance, the main line of the orthodox is 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. O-O e5 (there are of course other replies for white but this is just an example), and black is solid. Computers cannot assess openings properly, most GMs play 1.e3 and 2. d3 and 3. g3 against computers and often win.
Because the Bishop is used to be Called Elephant in the original Chess Game.
I hope this helps
@swish1234567890
if black uses c6 then the elephant trap wouldn't work because black's dark-squared bishop can't give check and take queen because it is blocked by the c-pawn.
If everyone always played lines that failed to give any advantage, every game of chess on a high level would end in a draw. Psychology is still important in chess... Throwing an opponent off balance with a move they haven't seen is sometimes more valuable than playing the "strongest" move.