Italian Game Knight Attack and Polerio Defense
Italian Game
Definition
The Italian Game is one of the oldest recorded chess openings. It begins with the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4. White places a bishop on the a2–g8 diagonal, immediately eyeing the vulnerable f7-square while rapidly developing pieces toward the center. ECO codes C50–C54 cover the main variations.
Typical Move-Order & Position
After 3.Bc4 the position usually features:
- White: pawns on e4 & d2, knight on f3, bishop on c4, king still in the center.
- Black: symmetrical e- and c-pawns, knight on c6, minor pieces poised for ...Nf6 or ...Bc5.
Black’s two principal replies are 3…Bc5 (Giuoco Piano) and 3…Nf6 (leading to the Two Knights Defense). A concise illustration is shown below:
Strategic Aims
- Rapid development: Both sides mobilize minor pieces quickly, often castling early.
- Pressure on f7/f2: The bishop’s line of sight and potential knight jumps (Ng5 or Nxe5) prepare tactical blows.
- Open lines: Central pawn exchanges (d2–d4, d7–d5) can open e- and d-files for rooks and queens.
- Flexible plans: White can steer play into quiet, maneuvering lines (Italian | Giuoco Pianissimo) or sharp gambits (Evans Gambit, Knight Attack).
Historical Significance
The Italian Game dates back to Gioachino Greco (early 1600s) and was further analyzed by Italian masters such as Damiano and Polerio. It dominated 19th-century romantic chess—see Morphy vs. Anderssen, “Opera Game,” Paris 1858. After a relative lull in the late 20th century, it re-emerged at elite level when Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana used it in the 2016 World Championship cycle.
Notable Example
Fabiano Caruana – Sergey Karjakin, Candidates 2016:
Interesting Facts
- The Italian Game is the earliest opening described in the first printed chess book (Lucena, 1497).
- Modern engines show that many “romantic” sacrificial lines once thought refuted (e.g., the Evans Gambit) are surprisingly playable.
- Because it can transpose to the Ruy López or Scotch structures, some grandmasters use 3.Bc4 as a practical surprise weapon.
Knight Attack (Italian Game, Two Knights Defense)
Definition
The Knight Attack—or “Knight’s Attack”—arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5. White’s knight hops to g5, directly threatening Nxf7 with a possible fork on the queen and rook.
Core Position
White’s last move attacks f7, creating immediate tactical tension. Black must react precisely; the three main choices are:
- 4…d5 5.exd5 (entering the main line—Polerio Defense or its offshoots)
- 4…Bc5?! (Traxler / Wilkes-Barre Counter-Attack—wildly tactical)
- 4…Na5?! (Fritz Variation—rarer, sidestepping theory at the cost of tempi)
Strategic Ideas
- Immediate tactics: White aims for the classic “Fried Liver Attack” after 4…d5 5.exd5 Nxd5? 6.Nxf7! if Black errs.
- Development vs. material: Black often concedes a pawn (as in Polerio Defense) but gains time for rapid piece play.
- King safety: Both monarchs can become exposed quickly; accurate calculation is mandatory.
Historical & Practical Use
The Knight Attack was feared in the 19th century; Wilhelm Steinitz once declared the line “objectively doubtful” for Black if he allowed the Fried Liver. Today, engines show that correct defense yields full equality, so the variation serves as an excellent tactical training ground for students.
Illustrative Miniature
Emmanuel Lasker – Johannes Metger, Leipzig 1894 (Fried Liver Attack):
Polerio Defense
Definition
The Polerio Defense is the main defensive system for Black against the Knight Attack. It follows the sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5. Named after 16th-century Italian analyst Domenico Polerio, it sacrifices the d-pawn to dislodge White’s bishop and neutralize threats.
Main Line Position
Key features:
- Black regains the pawn soon via 6…Nxc4 or recapture on d5.
- The c4-bishop must move, giving Black tempi for development (…c6, …h6, …Bd6).
- White chooses between solid lines (6.Bb5+, 6.d3) and sharper continuations (6.d4, 6.Nxf7?!).
Strategic Themes
- Activity over material: Black values piece coordination and open lines even while temporarily down a pawn.
- Central counterplay: Timely …c6 and …e4 strikes challenge White’s center.
- Piece placement: The a5-knight usually reroutes via c4–b6 or c4–d6, controlling key squares.
Historical & Modern Practice
Polerio’s idea was rediscovered in the 20th century and became top-level mainline theory. Famous adopters include Anatoly Karpov, Vishy Anand, and present-day super-grandmasters who trust engine evaluations.
Model Game
Alexei Shirov – Viswanathan Anand, Linares 1998:
Interesting Facts
- The line once carried the misleading name “Michel Counter-Attack” until historical research credited Polerio.
- In databases of elite games since 2010, the Polerio Defense scores roughly 50 % for Black—remarkably healthy for a gambit-like system.
- Many scholastic players learn the opening through the dramatic Fried Liver Attack; discovering the Polerio Defense often marks their first brush with “sound gambit” play.