Italian Game: Traxler Counterattack (Two Knights)
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack
Definition
The Traxler Counterattack (also called the Wilkes-Barre Variation) is a razor-sharp reply to the Italian Game that arises after the moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5!?
Instead of meeting the threat to f7 with the solid 4…d5, Black counter-sacrifices on f2, aiming for a direct king hunt.
Critical Starting Position
After 4…Bc5!?, the board is poised on the edge of chaos:
Main Tactical Branches
- A) 5. Nxf7 – the most popular try. Black replies 5…Bxf2+! with fireworks on the f-file.
- B) 5. Bxf7+ – a quieter but still double-edged line where Black plays 5…Ke7! and both kings roam the board.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The variation was introduced in 1890 by Czech priest Karel Traxler in correspondence play. Its reputation as one of the most daring openings survived the transition from Romantic over-the-board battles to modern engine analysis, which shows that, with best play, both sides can hold the balance despite the violent material imbalances.
Illustrative Game Fragment
A classic forcing sequence (Reinisch – Traxler, 1890) highlights typical motifs:
Within a dozen moves, both sides have sacrificed material and the kings are exposed in the center—classic Traxler chaos.
Typical Motifs
- …Bxf2+ sacrifice: Black lures the white king into the open.
- King hunts: Neither side expects to castle; piece activity outweighs material.
- Zwischenzugs: Intermezzo checks (especially …Nxe4+ and …Qh4+) decide the outcome.
- Back-rank tricks: Because rooks stay on their original files, mating nets on the first and eighth ranks appear frequently.
Practical Tips
- Memorize forced lines. A single slip often costs the game immediately.
- Calculate, don’t assume. Many “natural” moves are outright blunders in Traxler positions.
- Stay flexible. If the attack fizzles, Black must be ready to transpose into an endgame a pawn down but with active pieces.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The alternative name “Wilkes-Barre” honors analysis published in a Pennsylvania newspaper in the 1920s.
- GM Alexei Shirov and GM Baadur Jobava have both used the Traxler successfully in modern rapid play, proving its enduring practical value.
- Engines often swing from “+3” to “-3” in a matter of plies, illustrating how one inaccurate move overturns the evaluation.
Further Study
Train the critical position after 4…Bc5 with both colors. Modern correspondence databases and engine-checked repertoires are essential for staying current, as new defensive and attacking resources are discovered every year.