Italian Game: Two Knights Defense - Lolli Attack
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense
Definition
The Two Knights Defense is a combative reply for Black in the Italian Game reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6. Instead of the quieter 3…Bc5 (the “Giuoco Piano”), Black counters in the center with a knight, immediately inviting sharp, tactical play.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 From here, the most important branches are:
- 4. Ng5 (the main line, leading to Fried Liver, Lolli, Traxler, etc.)
- 4. d3 (the Modern or “Italian Four Knights”)
- 4. Nc3 (quiet, transposing to the Four Knights Game)
Strategic & Tactical Ideas
- Immediate tension on f7: After 4.Ng5, White threatens Nxf7, targeting the weakest square in Black’s position early in the game.
- Development race: Both sides often castle late; pieces are flung forward before the kings are secured.
- Pawns vs. initiative: In many lines White wins material (a pawn or even an exchange) while Black hopes to exploit lead in development.
- Central counterblow …d5: Black’s key resource to meet 4.Ng5, challenging the e4–e5 structure and opening lines for the bishops.
Historical Significance
The opening was analyzed by 17th-century Italian pioneers Gioachino Greco and Giulio Polerio. It appeared in several illustrative “model games” long before modern tournament chess even existed. Later, masters such as Paul Morphy and Wilhelm Steinitz refined the theory, and the defense has remained a fighting weapon employed by luminaries from Bobby Fischer to Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen.
Illustrative Mini-Line
The famous “Fried Liver” illustrates what happens when Black slips:
After 10.Nc3 White has sacrificed a knight but drags the black king into the open, a scenario every Two Knights defender must know how to avoid.
Model Game Reference
- Morphy – Anderssen, Paris Opera 1858 (consulted for countless annotations in the Two Knights and derivative attacks).
- Kramnik – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 – Black adopted the solid 4.d3 line against a future World Champion and survived a tense middlegame.
Interesting Facts
- The opening is the only double-king-pawn line (after 1.e4 e5) where Black can “counter-gambit” a pawn as early as move 4 (…d5) without violating opening principles.
- The awe-inspiring yet dubious 4.Ng5 Bc5?! (Traxler / Wilkes-Barre) is technically still a branch of the Two Knights – proof that even sound openings can hide wild sub-variations.
- Because of its forcing nature, top players often bypass the entire discussion with 3.Bb5 (the Ruy Lopez), eliminating the option of the Two Knights altogether.
Lolli Attack
Definition
The Lolli Attack (or Lolli Variation) is a razor-sharp line within the Two Knights Defense, named after the 18th-century Italian theoretician Giambattista Lolli. It arises after White captures the pawn on c6, clings to the extra pawn, and aims to exploit Black’s slightly loosened kingside.
Canonical Move Sequence
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Be2 (Lolli move)
White retreats the bishop instead of grabbing on f7 (Fried Liver) or going for the ultra-wild 8.d3 (Polerio). The resulting middlegame features:
- White: an extra pawn, safer king, latent pressure on the a2–g8 diagonal.
- Black: bishop pair, central pawn phalanx (…e4 / …f5), and open lines for rapid counterplay.
Key Plans
- White often castles quickly, then plays d3, Nd2-c4 or f3 to undermine Black’s e-pawn, keeping material edge while avoiding a direct assault on f7.
- Black usually strikes with …h6, …e4, and …Bc5, trying to pry open the f-file or trap the g5-knight if it lingers.
Typical Tactics
- The fork …Nd5-f4 can hit d3, e2, and g2 simultaneously.
- White’s resource Bxf7+ followed by Qh5+ remains in the air if Black overextends.
- Pin-breaks: after …e4, …Bb4 can pin a knight on c3 or e2, compounding pressure.
Model Line in PGN
Both sides have completed development; White has an extra c-pawn, while Black controls the dark squares and eyes f2.
Historical & Practical Notes
- Lolli’s book (1763) contained the first systematic analysis, demonstrating sacrificial ideas that still stand today.
- Paul Keres – Alexander Kotov, USSR Championship 1951 featured the Lolli; Keres converted the extra pawn after parrying Kotov’s attempted kingside storm.
- Top-level prevalence declined after the 1970s when computer-aided theory showed respectable drawing chances for Black, but it remains a dangerous surprise weapon in practical play.
Interesting Tidbits
- Many club players confuse the Lolli with the Fried Liver; the difference is simple: if White’s knight jumps to f7 immediately it’s the Fried Liver—if White first captures on c6, it’s Lolli.
- Engines evaluate the initial Lolli position around “+0.30” for White—proof that the extra pawn is real but Black’s initiative fully compensates with best play.
- Giambattista Lolli also lends his name to the “Lolli Position,” a fundamental king-and-rook vs. king-and-pawn endgame study—showing his analytical range went far beyond openings.