What is the defining move of the traxler countergambit?

The defining move is 4...Bc5!? after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5. This is also called the Wilkes-Barre Variation of the Two Knights Defense.

Why is the traxler countergambit so aggressive?

The traxler countergambit attacks White’s f2-square with the bishop on c5 while White’s knight on g5 attacks f7. Black deliberately turns the opening into a tactical race instead of simply protecting the f7-pawn.

Is the traxler countergambit the same as the Fried Liver Attack?

No. The Fried Liver begins with 4...Nf6 5.Nxf7, while the traxler countergambit begins with 4...Bc5!? immediately after White plays Ng5.

What should White do against the traxler countergambit?

White should study the tactical lines beginning with 5.Nxf7, because the king attack on f7 meets Black’s pressure on f2. The traxler countergambit is too tactical for a safe-looking move to be judged without calculating the resulting checks, captures, and threats.

Traxler Countergambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5) Chess Puzzles

Most common moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 / 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ / 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 / 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+.

The traxler countergambit is the sharp Two Knights Defense move 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5!?. Instead of defending the f7-pawn passively, Black develops the bishop to c5 and invites a violent tactical battle against White’s king and knight attack.

You can spot the traxler countergambit when White has played Ng5 against the Two Knights and Black answers with ...Bc5, creating threats on f2 while accepting that White may attack f7. To use the traxler countergambit, Black must know the tactical consequences of White’s 5.Nxf7 and avoid treating ...Bc5 as an ordinary developing move.

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Frequently Asked Questions: traxler countergambit

What is the defining move of the traxler countergambit?: The defining move is 4...Bc5!? after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5. This is also called the Wilkes-Barre Variation of the Two Knights Defense.
Why is the traxler countergambit so aggressive?: The traxler countergambit attacks White’s f2-square with the bishop on c5 while White’s knight on g5 attacks f7. Black deliberately turns the opening into a tactical race instead of simply protecting the f7-pawn.
Is the traxler countergambit the same as the Fried Liver Attack?: No. The Fried Liver begins with 4...Nf6 5.Nxf7, while the traxler countergambit begins with 4...Bc5!? immediately after White plays Ng5.
What should White do against the traxler countergambit?: White should study the tactical lines beginning with 5.Nxf7, because the king attack on f7 meets Black’s pressure on f2. The traxler countergambit is too tactical for a safe-looking move to be judged without calculating the resulting checks, captures, and threats.