Chess opening · ECO C57
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack
4...Bc5 meets the Knight Attack in the Traxler Counterattack, leaving f7 to its fate. Black's bishop aims at f2, which is defended only by the white king, and the f6 knight can take on e4 with check in some lines. If White's knight grabs on f7, Black gives up material to pull the white king into the open. The positions are wild and full of forcing moves.
- Rank by weighted share
- #149 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5
- 4... Bc5The bishop moves to c5 and points down the c5 to f2 diagonal. Black makes no attempt to cover f7. Instead the bishop and the f6 knight prepare to strike at f2 and e4, around White's own king.
When White plays 5.Nxf7
The knight takes on f7 and forks Black's queen on d8 and rook on h8. Black ignores the fork and plays 5...Bxf2+, giving up the bishop to pull the king forward. After 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ the king is checked by the knight and has lost its f-pawn cover, with Black's queen ready to come to h4.
At that point White is up a bishop for a pawn, but the white king has to find safety before the knight on f7 can collect the queen or rook.
When White takes with the bishop
5.Bxf7+ is the calmer capture. After 5...Ke7 the bishop is attacked by the king and usually retreats to b3 or d5. Black has lost the right to castle, but the f-file is half open and ...Rf8 points a rook straight at f2.
Black's king hunt after Nxf7
5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kxf2 Nxe4+ 7. Kg1 Qh4
White's king runs back to g1, but Black's queen arrives on h4 with the e4 knight nearby. The f7 knight still attacks the h8 rook, but Black threatens ...Qf2 mate, so White must defend before grabbing material.
Top replies by rating
Nxf7 leads in the 1400 to 1799 bands, while Bxf7+ takes over among players rated 1800 to 1999. O-O sits third in each of those bands.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | Nxf7 84% | Bxf7+ 16% | – |
| 1400–1599 | Nxf7 66% | Bxf7+ 28% | O-O 7% |
| 1600–1799 | Nxf7 56% | Bxf7+ 37% | O-O 6% |
| 1800–1999 | Bxf7+ 50% | Nxf7 42% | O-O 7% |
| 2000 and up | Bxf7+ 74% | Nxf7 26% | – |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.