Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, King March Line

A sharp and aggressive chess opening that leads to a highly tactical and complex middlegame, often resulting in a decisive outcome.

1. e4 2. e5 3. Nf3 4. Nc6 5. Bc4 6. Nf6 7. Ng5 8. Bc5 9. Nxf7 10. Bxf2+ 11. Kxf2 12. Nxe4+ 13. Ke3

The opening in question is a highly aggressive and tactical one that can lead to a complex middlegame with many opportunities for both sides. It is characterized by an early sacrifice of a pawn and a knight by Black, followed by a counterattack on White's king. This opening is not for the faint-hearted, as it often leads to a decisive outcome, with one side gaining a significant advantage or even a quick checkmate.

In this opening, Black sacrifices a pawn on f7 and a knight on e4, luring White's king out into the open. White's king is then forced to march up the board, making it vulnerable to further attacks. Black's main idea is to exploit the exposed position of White's king and create threats that will lead to material gains or checkmate.

This counterattack is considered a risky and double-edged opening, as it can lead to sharp tactical battles where both sides have chances to win. It is not commonly seen at the highest level of chess, as many top players prefer more solid and less risky openings. However, it can be a powerful weapon for club players and those who enjoy tactical battles and are willing to take risks.

White has several options to counter this aggressive opening, including accepting the sacrifices and trying to consolidate their position or declining the sacrifices and aiming for a more solid setup. Both approaches have their merits and drawbacks, and the resulting positions can be highly complex and difficult to navigate.

Overall, this opening is an exciting and challenging one that can lead to thrilling games with many twists and turns. It is an excellent choice for players who enjoy sharp tactical battles and are willing to take risks in pursuit of victory.

Frequency: 13.2 %Stockfish score: 0.1, depth 46
Games Statistics:
White/Draws/Black
36.4%
2.3%
61.3%
Bookmoves score:
RateWhiteBlack
0...180054.880.8
1800...200051.678.2
2000...220052.465.3
2200...250060.456.5
2500...--