Tree path 8 levels King's Pawn Game › King's Knight Opening › Normal Variation › Italian Game › Two Knights Defense › Knight Attack › Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack › Knight Sacrifice Line
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Knight Sacrifice Line
Overview
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Knight Sacrifice Line is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C57), arising from a recognised theoretical position.
The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.
The line arises from 9 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7.
The line refines Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.
It continues primarily into one named line, Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, King March Line.
Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.
- ECO code
- C57
- Group
- Open Games (C)
- Plies
- 9
- Direct variations
- 1
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
630,968 games · White 44.1% / Draw 2.7% / Black 53.2%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bxf2+ | 566,555 | |
| Qe7 | 55,065 | |
| Nxe4 | 2,359 | |
| d5 | 1,947 | |
| O-O | 1,616 | |
| Ke7 | 1,202 | |
| Kf8 | 1,008 | |
| Rf8 | 632 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:06:28
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