What is the Traxler Counterattack?

A wild Black response to the Italian/Fried Liver that sacrifices a bishop and chases White's king into the open.

Is the Traxler Counterattack good?

As a practical weapon it's razor-sharp and devastating when White doesn't know it, which is most of the time — though Stockfish favors White with best defense.

Is the Traxler sound?

Not objectively — with accurate defense Stockfish has White better by about a pawn and a half. Its value is practical: it's a nightmare to face unprepared.

Is the Traxler good for blitz?

Yes — the forcing, often-mating lines reward whoever knows them, and time pressure makes White's only-moves defense even harder to find.

How do you play the Traxler?

Meet White's attacking try with the bishop sacrifice and hunt the king with a series of forcing checks.

How to Play the Traxler Counterattack — punish the Fried Liver · Mainline

White attacks your weak pawn beside the king. Use your bishop and knight to create threats against White’s king before taking material.

When White goes for the Fried Liver, the Traxler says "no, you run." It's one of the most thrilling counterattacks in chess — and a brutal weapon if you know it.

Quick facts
Soundness	Objectively dubious, practically lethal
Theory load	Low; but the forcing lines must be known cold
Best for	Black players who relish chaos and king hunts
Plays as	Black
Key idea	Sacrifice the bishop and chase White's king into the open

Is the Traxler Counterattack any good?

A razor-sharp answer to the Italian/Fried Liver for Black. Wildly effective when the opponent doesn't know it (most don't). For players who relish chaos and memorized forcing lines.

How do you defend against the Traxler?

White has a couple of critical replies that defuse it; the guide shows both the attacker's and the defender's side.

How does the Traxler relate to the Two Knights Defense?

The Traxler is a sharp branch of the Two Knights against White's aggressive try; the guide explains the move order that reaches it.

Traxler Counterattack Beginner: the main lines

5.Nxf7 … 12...Nb4 13.Bb3 Nxc2 14.Bxc2

Traxler Counterattack line, 14 moves deep. You play Black.

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 Nb4
13. Bb3 Nxc2
14. Bxc2 Bg4

5.Nxf7 … 7...Qh4 8.Qf3 Rf8 9.d3

Traxler Counterattack line, 14 moves deep. You play Black.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Ng5 Bc5
5. Nxf7 Bxf2+
6. Kxf2 Nxe4+
7. Kg1 Qh4
8. Qf3 Rf8
9. d3 Qe1+
10. Qf1 Qxf1+
11. Kxf1 Nd6
12. Ke2 Nd4+
13. Kd1 Nxc4
14. dxc4 Rxf7

5.Nxf7 … 8...Nxg3 9.Nxh8 Ne4+ 10.Ke2

Traxler Counterattack line, 12 moves deep. You play Black.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Ng5 Bc5
5. Nxf7 Bxf2+
6. Kxf2 Nxe4+
7. Ke1 Qh4+
8. g3 Nxg3
9. Nxh8 Ne4+
10. Ke2 Qf2+
11. Kd3 Nb4+
12. Kxe4 Qf4#

Traxler Lightning

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Ng5 Bc5
5. Nxf7 Bxf2+
6. Kxf2 Nxe4+
7. Ke1 Qh4+
8. g3 Nxg3
9. hxg3 Qxh1+
10. Ke2 Nd4+
11. Kd3 Qxd1
12. Nxh8 Qf3#

Unnamed Line

Traxler Counterattack line, 12 moves deep. You play Black.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Ng5 Bc5
5. Nxf7 Bxf2+
6. Kxf2 Nxe4+
7. Kf1 Qh4
8. Qf3 Nd4
9. g3 Qh3+
10. Qg2 Qf5+
11. Kg1 Nf3+
12. Kf1 Nh4+

Drill every Traxler Counterattack line in the trainer

The starting position

Frequently asked questions

: A wild Black response to the Italian/Fried Liver that sacrifices a bishop and chases White's king into the open.
: As a practical weapon it's razor-sharp and devastating when White doesn't know it, which is most of the time — though Stockfish favors White with best defense.
: Not objectively — with accurate defense Stockfish has White better by about a pawn and a half. Its value is practical: it's a nightmare to face unprepared.
: Yes — the forcing, often-mating lines reward whoever knows them, and time pressure makes White's only-moves defense even harder to find.
: Meet White's attacking try with the bishop sacrifice and hunt the king with a series of forcing checks.

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