Traxler Counter-Attack

1. e4White plays e4.
2. e5Black plays e5.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3 and attacks e5.
4. Nc6Black defends with Nc6.
5. Bc4White plays Bc4, the Italian setup.
6. Nf6Black plays Nf6, counterattacking e4.
7. Ng5White plays Ng5, threatening Nxf7 — the standard attacking move.
8. Bc5The Traxler! Instead of defending, Black plays Bc5, ignoring the f7 threat and preparing Bxf2+.
9. Nxf7White accepts and captures on f7, forking queen and rook.
10. Bxf2+The point — Black sacrifices the bishop on f2+, forcing White's king into the open.
11. Kxf2White must take the bishop.
12. Nxe4+Black plays Nxe4+, forking the king and queen. A devastating double attack.
13. Kg1The king retreats to g1.
14. Qh4Black plays Qh4 — creating multiple mating threats. White is in deep trouble despite being ahead in material.

Many players prefer to take f7 with the bishop instead, avoiding the wild complications. After 5.Bxf7+ Ke7, White has won a pawn but Black's king is not immediately in danger. More practical and theoretically safer for White.

1. e4White plays e4.
2. e5Black plays e5.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3.
4. Nc6Black defends with Nc6.
5. Bc4White plays Bc4, the Italian bishop targeting f7.
6. Nf6Black plays Nf6, the Two Knights Defense.
7. Ng5White plays Ng5, threatening Nxf7.
8. Bc5The Traxler! Black plays Bc5, preparing the counter-sacrifice on f2 and ignoring the f7 threat.
9. Bxf7+White avoids the Traxler complications by capturing Bxf7+ with the bishop instead of the knight. This is safer — White wins a pawn without allowing Bxf2+.
10. Ke7Black's king moves to e7, blocking the check. The king on e7 looks awkward but is actually quite safe — the center pawns shield it.
11. Bb3White retreats the bishop to b3, keeping it safe and maintaining pressure.
12. Rf8Black plays Rf8, fighting for the f7 square and activating the rook. The position is slightly better for White but fully playable for Black.
13. O-OWhite castles, completing development. White has won a pawn in exchange for some time. The position is solid but less exciting than the main Traxler lines.

Instead of capturing the bishop, White retreats the king to e2, refusing the sacrifice. After Ke2, Black plays ...Nd4+ chasing the king further. The resulting position requires computer-level precision to navigate correctly.

1. e4White plays e4.
2. e5Black plays e5.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3.
4. Nc6Black defends with Nc6.
5. Bc4White plays Bc4, the Italian bishop.
6. Nf6Black plays Nf6, the Two Knights Defense.
7. Ng5White plays Ng5, threatening f7.
8. Bc5The Traxler! Bc5, preparing Bxf2+.
9. Nxf7White captures Nxf7, taking the rook.
10. Bxf2+Black plays Bxf2+, the Traxler sacrifice.
11. Ke2White plays Ke2, refusing to take the bishop! This is the most dangerous response — the king escapes to a safer central square and White keeps the extra material.
12. Nd4+Black plays Nd4+, chasing the king further into the open and maintaining the initiative. Every move must increase the pressure.
13. Kd3White plays Kd3, the king runs forward. The position is extremely dangerous for both sides — White has enormous material but the king is stranded in the center.
14. b5Black plays b5, attacking the c4 bishop and gaining more time for the attack. Every tempo counts when chasing an exposed king.

Instead of ...Qh4, Black plays ...Nd4, a different attacking approach. The knight on d4 threatens ...Nxc2 winning the rook and also supports a potential ...Qg5 attack. Both ...Qh4 and ...Nd4 are legitimate Traxler continuations.

1. e4White plays e4.
2. e5Black plays e5.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3.
4. Nc6Black defends with Nc6.
5. Bc4White plays Bc4, the Italian bishop.
6. Nf6Black plays Nf6, the Two Knights Defense.
7. Ng5White plays Ng5, threatening Nxf7.
8. Bc5The Traxler! Black plays Bc5, counter-sacrificing on f2.
9. Nxf7White captures Nxf7.
10. Bxf2+Black sacrifices Bxf2+, forcing the king into the open.
11. Kxf2White captures Kxf2.
12. Nxe4+Black plays Nxe4+, forking king and queen.
13. Kg1White retreats Kg1.
14. Nd4Black plays Nd4 instead of Qh4 — an alternative attacking idea. The knight on d4 is a powerful outpost that simultaneously threatens Nxc2 (winning the rook) and supports future ...Qg5 or ...Qh4 attacking ideas.