Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5

ECO C57

The Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack is a chess opening line in the Italian Game complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5.

It is catalogued under code C57 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Bc5 is chosen by Black on move 4.

3 named continuations branch from this position, including the Bishop Sacrifice Line and the King March Line.

Named variations

• Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line — ECO C57
• Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, King March Line — ECO C57
• Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Knight Sacrifice Line — ECO C57

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Fried Liver Attack course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.