ECO C57 · Italian Game

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Knight Sacrifice Line

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

5… Bxf2++0.93

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Knight Sacrifice Line (C57), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bxf2+ for Black. White is clearly better (+0.93).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.935… Bxf2+ 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. Nxh8 Bb6 8. Bf7+ Kf8 9. Nc3 d6 10. Nd5
  2. +1.935… Qe7 6. Nxh8 d5 7. exd5 Bg4 8. Be2 Bxf2+ 9. Kf1 Bxe2+ 10. Kxe2
  3. +3.275… Nxe4 6. Nxd8 Bxf2+ 7. Kf1 Rf8 8. d3 Bc5+ 9. Bf7+ Kxd8 10. dxe4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Knight Sacrifice Line?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bxf2+ for Black, continuing 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. Nxh8 Bb6 8. Bf7+ Kf8 9. Nc3 d6 10. Nd5. White is clearly better (+0.93). The next best moves are 5… Qe7 (+1.93) and 5… Nxe4 (+3.27).
Is the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Knight Sacrifice Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.93: 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, Knight 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+).