Chess Openings Lab
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Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack

The Traxler Counterattack is 4.Ng5 Bc5, where Black ignores the threat on f7 and aims the bishop at f2. White can take on f7 with the bishop or the knight, and both kings come under fire; precise calculation decides the game.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5
ECO
C57
Engine
+1.01 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,435 games in our lichess sample
White scores
53.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Bxf7+, the top engine move, forces ...Ke7 and keeps White's king safe on e1 for now.
  • After Bxf7+ Ke7, retreat Bc4, then play Nc3 and the knight back to f3 to keep the extra pawn.
  • Nxf7 forks the queen and rook, but after ...Bxf2+ and Kf1 White's king is exposed.
  • The central d4 push is a calmer option that challenges the bishop and the e5 pawn.

Black

  • After Bxf7+, play ...Ke7 and later ...Qe8 and ...h6 to drive the knight away.
  • Against Nxf7, check with ...Bxf2+ and after Kf1 develop the queen to e7.
  • Use ...d5 and ...Nd4 to open lines at White's king while White's knight is stuck on h8.
  • Black's rooks and minor pieces must move fast; the extra material White grabs matters less than tempo.

Plans and pawn structure

In the Bxf7+ line, White wins a pawn and Black's king walks to e7, then rejoins on d8 or via the f-file after ...Rf8. White develops calmly with Nc3, d3 and castling. In the Nxf7 line, White wins the h8 rook but loses the right to castle, and Black attacks with ...d5, ...Nd4 and ...Bg4. Both sides must calculate: one slow move can lose the game.

Where the engine's main line heads: Open game: e4 against e5. An open game: e4 against e5. Development, the f7 and f2 squares, and the d4 or d5 break are what count.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.01: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.01 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bc4 Qe8 7.Nc3 h6
  2. +0.99 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 d5
  3. +0.73 5.d4 d5 6.Bxd5 Nxd4 7.Bxf7+ Ke7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,435 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

under 120057.5%
1200–159951.8%
1600–199950.9%
2000 and up50.3%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, the safest route is Bxf7+ followed by Bc4, Nc3 and castling. If you take with the knight, know the line ...Bxf2+ Kf1 Qe7 Nxh8 d5, where Black's attack is dangerous. Do not ignore f2 when making your choice.

Questions

What are the moves of the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack?

The Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5. Its ECO code is C57.

Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.01 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 2,435 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. A sharp choice for Black players who love calculation, but White players who know Bxf7+ get a safe, slightly better game.

What is the main idea of the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack?

Black meets the attack on f7 with a counterattack on f2. White can win material, but Black's pieces swarm the white king, so both sides must know the main lines.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Bxf7+, with Nxf7 and d4 close behind. Bxf7+ grabs a pawn with check and avoids the wild ...Bxf2+ lines that follow Nxf7.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.