← Two Knights Defense

Practice: Traxler Counter-Attack

Black ignores the knight on g5

Instead of defending the f7 pawn, Black plays ...Bc5, threatening a devastating checkmate on f2. One of the most treacherous counter-attacks in all of chess.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Ng5 Bc5
5. Nxf7 Bxf2+
6. Kxf2 Nxe4+
7. Kg1 Qh4
8. g3 Nxg3
9. hxg3 Qxg3+
10. Kf1 Rf8
11. Qh5 d5
12. Bxd5 Nd4
13. Qh4 Qxh4
14. Rxh4 Rxf7
15. Bxf7+ Kxf7
16. Rxd4 exd4
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • Black's immediate threat of ...Nxe4 forces White to react. The ...Nxe4 capture can be dangerous for White if taken lightly.
  • The main line (4.Ng5 d5) opens the centre and leads to sharp tactical fights with both sides having attacking chances.
  • The Two Knights Defence is one of the most direct and aggressive responses to the Italian Game at any level.

Common mistakes & traps

  • The Fried Liver Attack (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7) sacrifices a knight for a devastating attack on the black king.
  • The Traxler Counter-Attack (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5) ignores White's threat on f7 and instead threatens Bxf2+ checkmate!

Pawn structure notes

After 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5, the centre is open and dynamic. Black often ends up with an isolated pawn or a pawn on d5 against White's mobile centre. Piece activity matters more than structure in most Two Knights lines.

Tips

  • The Traxler ignores White's threat on f7 and creates a deadly counter-threat on f2
  • If White plays inaccurately, Black can checkmate in just a few moves
  • This is one of the most dangerous traps in chess — White must know the correct defence

About this line

This line is rated advanced. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.