As you remember we’ve decided to start the game from the most aggressive first move 1. e4, but after

1… e5, many of you would prefer 2. Nf3, skipping the super aggressive Danish gambit after 2.d4.

Then the most logical continuation as we know will be 2…. Nc6 at once protecting the pawn e5 and increasing the control over the center square d4.On the third move white has a few interesting options: 3.Bb5 leads to the Classical Ruy Lopez, 3.d4 to the Scotch game, and 3. Nc3 to the Three (or Four) knight’s defense. 

But today we will study the outcome of the move 3.Bc4!? Then after 3…Nf6 we reach the opening called -The Two knights defense.There is no doubt that the two knights defense one of the oldest openings we know,It is also one of the most complicated tactical ones.

David Bronstein suggested that this opening should rightly be called the ‘Chigorin Counter Attack’, since, at the end of the last century, the legendary Russian chess player added a great deal to the theory of this opening.

Great credit for developing the theory and practice of this opening must go to the old masters Steinitz, Chigorin and of course Dr Tarrasch (who said that 4.Ng5 is a move of novice player.) If White invites complications with either 4 Ng5 (well known as the Fried Liver attack) or 4 d4, the Morphy attack, we reach extremely sharp positions where gambit themes exist everywhere.  

Anyone who enters the dark territory of the Two Knights Defense must be well prepared for the amazing complications that ensue.Generally speaking in chess theory the term of ‘defense’ is given to rather passive openings.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4

Indeed with the

3…. Nf6

answer black intends his counterattack against the e4 pawn but at the same time black ignores the threat over the f7 square.

White can immediately assault the weakest spot in the black’s position.Today we will examine the most direct way the move 

4. Ng5

There is a long story about this energetic attempt. Black has two main defenses: The old one 4…. d5, and the super sharp Traxler counterattack 4…Bc5!?

Filed under: The Fried Liver Attack |