Traxler Counterattack | Italian Game Theory

For extra content and daily exercises, visit my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/hangingpawns

The Traxler Counterattack is losing for black in theory. But… theory is not practice!

For the basics of the Italian Game watch this video: youtu.be/dP4qtaUAhWM

For a sounder variation against the Knight Attack (Ng5) for black, watch this video: youtu.be/rKoZkrBWDbU

The Traxler Counterattack is a very aggressive (and a very unsound) way to fight the Knight Attack in the Two Knights Italian. Black just ignores white’s attack on the weakness on f7 and continues development!

White has to accept the sacrifice, the only question is whether to take with the bishop or with the knight. As you can see in the video, taking with the bishop is far safer. You win a safe extra pawn and get to tuck your bishop away.

This means that white can go up a pawn out of the opening and there is really no compensation for black.

Taking with the knight, on the other hand, leads to a world of complications and positions in which not even the engines know the evaluation (as you could’ve seen in the video as well).

The point is that black immediately counterattacks with Bxf2!, sacrificing the bishop for a quick attack. I always thought that Kf1 was the best move, but the analysis led me to question my opinion. Some lines which occur are so complex that you can’t really tell whether you’ll get mated or not.

9th move seems to be the problem. The move c3 (which was the first one I analyzed in the video) seems to lead to an unstoppable attack for black and white is just getting mated. That’s why 9.d6 should be played. Positions after d6 seem to be in white’s favor without too many direct threats for black.

A very complicated sacriface! The Traxler should be dealt with with precision and care. White could easily find himself surrounded by a horde of black pieces.

Once again, just take with the bishop. It’s safer. And good luck!

#chess