Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C57), reached after 8 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5.

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5.Nxf7 2 lines
- C57 King March Line
- C57 Knight Sacrifice Line
5.Bxf7+ 1 line
- C57 Bishop Sacrifice Line

About this opening

Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C57. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 8 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5.

It belongs to the Italian Game family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Two Knights Defense → Traxler Counterattack line). The immediate parent line is Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, transitioned via 4…Bc5.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bc4 Nf6, 4.Ng5 Bc5. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.