Sacrifice the bishop and chase the king into the open. Plenty of these lines simply end in mate.
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.
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.