Italian Game: Two Knights Defense

ECO C55, C58 · 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6

The Two Knights Defense, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6, counterattacks e4 instead of developing the bishop. It is sharp and principled, and it leads to some of the most tactical lines of the open games.

Plans for White

The critical 4.Ng5 attacks f7 at once; after 4...d5 5.exd5 Black must choose carefully. 4.d4 opens the center, and 4.d3 leads to slow Giuoco Pianissimo-like play.

Plans for Black

Against 4.Ng5, 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5 sacrifices a pawn for development, while 4...Bc5 (Traxler) counterattacks f2. Against 4.d4 Black can play 4...exd4 and later ...d5.

Typical pawn structures

Varies: open positions after 4.Ng5 or 4.d4, closed Pianissimo structures after 4.d3.

Who it suits

Tactically confident players who want active play against the Italian and are willing to sacrifice a pawn for development.

Common traps

The Fried Liver Attack after 5...Nxd5? 6.Nxf7! is the most famous danger; Black should know 5...Na5. In the Traxler, White's greedy Nxf7 runs into ...Bxf2+.

Variations

Related variations

Practice this opening · Play against the computer