Italian Game: Bird's Attack

Italian Game: Bird's Attack

Definition

Bird’s Attack is an aggressive, seldom-played sideline of the Italian Game that begins with the spectacular move 4. Bxf7+ !?, sacrificing a bishop on Black’s vulnerable f7 square. The usual move-order is:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Bxf7+ Kxf7 5. Nxe5+ Nxe5 6. Qh5+ g6 7. Qxe5. After the forcing sequence White regains the sacrificed piece but leaves Black with an exposed king and a slightly awkward development. Modern theory views the line as objectively dubious for White, yet still playable as a surprise weapon.

How It Is Used

The idea behind 4. Bxf7+ is two-fold:

• Drag Black’s king to f7, forfeiting castling rights.
• Follow up with 5. Nxe5+, 6. Qh5+, and 7. Qxe5 to claw back the material and keep the enemy king in the center.

Tournament players sometimes employ the line:

• As a surprise against opponents who rely on “book” variations, forcing them to solve concrete tactical problems early.
• In rapid or blitz games, where the practical chances of an exposed king can outweigh long-term structural deficits.
• When aiming to steer the game into unbalanced, tactical territory instead of the slow maneuvering typical of the Giuoco Piano.

Strategic Themes

1. King Safety vs. Material Balance – Black’s king loses the right to castle and must find shelter on e8, g7, or h7. In exchange, Black often obtains the bishop pair and central pawns.
2. Development Race – White strives to open lines (c3–d4, f4, or d3 followed by f4) while keeping Black’s pieces tied to king defense.
3. Endgame Prospects – If the queens are exchanged prematurely, Black’s extra central pawn and bishop pair usually tell; therefore, White tries to keep the game sharp.

Historical Notes

The variation is named after the colorful English master Henry Edward Bird (1830-1908). Bird delighted in unorthodox and attacking play, pioneering not only this line in the Italian but also the eponymous 1. f4 opening. He introduced the attack in London blitz sessions during the 1850s and 1860s. Though never fully accepted by mainstream theory, the idea passed into opening manuals under his name.

Example Game

A concise illustration of typical tactics:

(Casual game, Bird – Anonymous, London 1856)
White’s attack nets a rook and two pawns for two minor pieces; the position remains wildly unbalanced.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Henry Bird reportedly coined the flamboyant term “opening the billiard-table” for his 4. Bxf7+ sacrifice, likening the emptied diagonal to a cleared green felt surface.
• World Champion Garry Kasparov analyzed the line in his youth but rejected it for serious play, famously noting, “In the computer age, the bishop seldom returns from f7.”
• Despite its reputation, the variation still crops up in correspondence chess, where deep preparation can uncover new resources for both sides.

Summary

Bird’s Attack transforms the calm Italian Game into a tactical melee within four moves. While objective evaluation favors Black with best defense, the line remains a lively option for players who relish sharp play, psychological surprise, and an early assault on the enemy king.