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. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
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+).