In a normal OTB (or correspondence game for that matter) we cannot claim to play as accurately and good as Karpov and Beliavsky.
What I mean by saying the opening isn't playable, is that in an OTB-game against a stronger opponent, chances are high that you would lose. Not saying it's lost, I just think there are better options for black against 4. Ng5. Again, I like the Traxler and want it to work, just don't think it does ;)
Objectively 4...d5 is stronger, but that occurs more frequently and any 4 Ng5 player has some experience/knowledge of it.
Beliavsky as the lower rated player scores 1,5/2 with black against two world champions Karpov and Anand. So it is certainly playable and it may subjectively be stronger.
Sample size? ;) Two games don't say a lot, and Beliavsky was top-3 in the world as well. Honestly, your arguments are a bit flawed and you didnt go into anything I said, but whatever. It is not without reason that the Traxler is not played at the highest level, not even as a surprise-weapon.
But sure, if you ever get to play 2700+, be my guest and try the Traxler. ;) I will not, eventho I like the Traxler and would play it against 2300s max, I think.
Yet this study is an infrequent occurence of a group of amateur players (with computers :) ) making a convincing contribution to opening theory. Namely, 5.Nxf7 is "busted" in the sense that it doesn't lead to the kind of advantage that was previsouly assumed in the theoretical 9.d6 line.
Now 5.Fxf7+ can be recommended not only on practical grounds but also as the best theoretical line. This of course doesn't add much to the verdict on the Traxler as a whole.
Congratulations to the analysts nonetheless.
"In a normal OTB (or correspondence game for that matter) we cannot claim to play as accurately and good as Karpov and Beliavsky."
Correspondence maybe, over the board certainly not. But that is not the point. White will play less well than Karpov or Anand, Black will play less well than Beliavsky.
"What I mean by saying the opening isn't playable, is that in an OTB-game against a stronger opponent, chances are high that you would lose."
By that standard no opening is playable, as with any opening chances are high to lose against a stronger opponent.
"I just think there are better options for black against 4. Ng5."
Of course: objectively 4...d5 is better.
Lichess master database:
4...d5 1745 games: white won 37%, black won 28%, draw 34%
4...Bc5 97 games: white won 45%, black won 26%, draw 29%
Beliavsky was top-3 in the world as well."
Karpov 2710, Beliavsky 2570. So Beliavsky as the weaker player choose Traxler and scored well with it.
"It is not without reason that the Traxler is not played at the highest level, not even as a surprise-weapon."
Beliavsky did, even twice against world champions.
Main reason it is not played now: most grandmasters now play 4 d3 with white and 3...Bc5 with black.
"Correspondence maybe, over the board certainly not. But that is not the point. White will play less well than Karpov or Anand, Black will play less well than Beliavsky." Exactly! And the positions arising from the Traxler are far more easy to play as white, then they are as black - when white knows 'a line' against the Traxler. When white is surprised (which a 2300+ probably is not), then the Traxler is a good idea imo. This is why I think it's playable against weaker opponents.
"By that standard no opening is playable, as with any opening chances are high to lose against a stronger opponent." The chances are -relatively- higher, i would guesstimate.
"Main reason it is not played now: most grandmasters now play 4 d3 with white and 3...Bc5 with black." Looking at Chessbase webdatabase now, which is constituted of games of players rated 2400+ i think (at least thats the only games i can see), the Traxler has not been played in high-level OTB-encounters in recent times. You are surely correct in saying 4. d3 is way more popular, but 4. Ng5 has been played in a big amount of games as well. Another reason for the decline of 4. Ng5 might be the fact that black players nowadays usually opt for 3...Bc5, but that's a whole other argument. :-)
The fact is, the engines have kind-of destroyed the surprise value of the Traxler, where good players who play 4. Ng5 have just 'looked at a line against the Traxler', which just gives white a small - but definet - edge.
Yes, But in my level it's not that. I'm probably the only person who changes his repertoire depending on which lines opponent plays
( Also, in Turkey, Because of the Magnus' London Rant, Most people play London )
Question : Should I Play The Traxler in a U1600 Event ?
If you like the kind of positions you should play it always against any opponent. It is only by sticking to an opening that you gradually gain an understanding.
I think I am really underrated ( 1450 national )
Because I didn't play between Sept 2016- May 2017. I LOVE this kind of positions and will play against Italian in that 90+30 Tournament.
Maybe some of my matches will be broadcasted.
THANK YOU ALL !
I wouldnt focus too much on openings; just focus on improving your chess as opposed to improving your openings. I agree with tpr in #18 that just sticking to your guns is best.