Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Bxf7+
5… Ke7+0.88
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line (C57), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Bxf7+, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Ke7 for Black. White is clearly better (+0.88).
Top engine moves
- +0.885… Ke7 6. Bb3 d6 7. d3 Qe8 8. c3 Rf8 9. Nf3 a5 10. Bg5
- +1.215… Kf8 6. Bb3 Qe7 7. Nc3 a5 8. d3 Nd4 9. Nf3 Nxb3 10. axb3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Bxf7+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Ke7 for Black, continuing 6. Bb3 d6 7. d3 Qe8 8. c3 Rf8 9. Nf3 a5 10. Bg5. White is clearly better (+0.88). The next best moves are 5… Kf8 (+1.21).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.88: white is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Bishop Sacrifice Line?
C57. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).