Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line
The Bishop Sacrifice Line of the Traxler is 5.Bxf7+, where White takes on f7 with the bishop and check. Black's king must move to e7 or f8, and White aims to keep the extra pawn while Black uses the open f-file and quick development.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+
- ECO
- C57
- Engine
- +0.99 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 730 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 54.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After ...Ke7, retreat Bc4 or Bb3 and add Nc3 to cover d5 and e4.
- Bring the g5 knight back to f3 and castle short, as in the engine line.
- Against ...Kf8, play Bb3, d3 and Nf3, then Be3 to trade off Black's strong c5 bishop.
- Keep the f2 square protected, since the c5 bishop and a rook on f8 can both aim there.
Black
- ...Ke7 is the top choice; the king steps up to make room for ...Rf8 on the open file.
- Play ...Qe8 and ...h6 to kick the g5 knight, then ...d6 to open the c8 bishop.
- After ...Kf8, use ...Qe7 and ...d6, then walk the king back with ...Ke8 when safe.
- Aim pieces at f2: ...Rf8, ...Ng4 or ...Qf7 ideas punish a careless White setup.
Plans and pawn structure
White is a pawn up and has the safer king. The plan is Nc3, the knight back to f3, d3 and castling, then Be3 to trade the c5 bishop. Black's plan is to use the open f-file with ...Rf8, play ...h6 and ...d6, and bring the king back to safety on d8 or e8. Black's pieces are active, so White must avoid weakening f2 and g3.
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 +0.99: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.99 5...Ke7 6.Bc4 Qe8 7.Nc3 h6 8.Nf3
- +1.35 5...Kf8 6.Bb3 Qe7 7.d3 d6 8.Nf3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
730 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Two Knights Defense, Traxler Variation, Trencianske-Teplice Gambit5...Ke7 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, play ...Ke7 and then ...Qe8 and ...h6 to gain time on the g5 knight. Get ...Rf8 in quickly and keep pressure on f2. Avoid passive defense: the pawn deficit only matters if you stop developing and let White castle in peace.
Questions
What are the moves of the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line?
The Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+. Its ECO code is C57.
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.99 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 730 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.9%. The safer route for White against the Traxler, suiting players who prefer an extra pawn and a calm king over chaos.
What is the main idea of the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line?
White grabs the f7 pawn with check and forces Black's king up. White keeps an extra pawn, while Black uses the open f-file and quick piece play.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Ke7, with Kf8 close behind. ...Ke7 steps aside so the rook can use the f-file and the king avoids checks on the e8-h5 diagonal.
Related lines
- Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack
- Knight Sacrifice Line
- How to beat the Two Knights Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.