Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fegatello Attack

Definition

The Fegatello Attack—better known in English as the Fried Liver Attack—is an ultra-aggressive variation of the Italian Game that arises after Black chooses the Two Knights Defense. The critical moves are

• 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5?! 6. Nxf7! Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 …

White immediately sacrifices a knight on f7 to drag the black king into the center, aiming for a swift, direct attack. “Fegatello” is Italian for “little liver”; the early analysts imagined Black’s king being skewered like a piece of liver on a spit.

How It Arises

The move order is tightly forced once both sides commit to the Two Knights Defense:

1. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 – The classical Italian setup. Black’s third move is the Two Knights Defense.
2. 4. Ng5 – White immediately attacks f7.
3. 4…d5 5. exd5 – The sharp main line.
4. 5…Nxd5?! – The temptingly natural recapture. Stronger is 5…Na5!, avoiding the Fried Liver entirely.
5. 6. Nxf7! – The Fegatello sacrifice.

Once Black accepts the knight, the position becomes highly tactical and concrete calculation outweighs long-term planning.

Strategic Themes

• King Safety vs. Material: White gives up a piece but forces Black’s king to e6, where it is exposed to checks from every direction.
• Rapid Development: White’s typical follow-ups involve Nc3, Qe4+, d4 and sometimes long-castling to bring the rook to e1.
• Piece Coordination: Black’s minor pieces are often clumsy; the knight on d5 can be hit by c4 or Nc3, while the bishop on c8 is blocked by its own pawn chain.
• Counter-Material Play: If Black survives the first 10–12 moves, the extra piece may become decisive. Accurate defense, especially with moves like 8…Nb4 or 8…Nd4, is critical.

Historical Significance

The idea dates back to Giulio Cesare Polerio (late 16^th century). In the Romantic Era it was a favorite weapon of attacking masters such as Paul Morphy and Adolf Anderssen. Modern engines confirm that Black can equalize with best play (chiefly 5…Na5), but the line still appears in scholastic and rapid games because one inaccurate move can lead to a swift miniature.

Illustrative Miniature

Below is a classic attacking game often used in textbooks:

White’s pieces flood the board while the black king ricochets among checks. In practice, very few defenders emerge unscathed.

Modern Practice

Elite grandmasters seldom allow the Fegatello, preferring the solid 5…Na5 or the more flexible 5…b5 (the Traxler/Wilkes-Barre Gambit) instead of 5…Nxd5. Nonetheless the attack still appears:

• Caruana – Bologan, Dortmund 2013 – Caruana sidestepped with 5…Na5 and won, demonstrating the modern antidote.
• Nepo – Saric, European Club Cup 2015 – Black tried 5…Nxd5; White unleashed Nxf7 and won in 25 moves.

Typical Tactical Motifs

• Forks on g5/e4/e5: Knights often hop to g5 or d4 with tempo.
• Discovered Checks: The diagonal a2–g8 and the e-file become potent avenues.
• Mate on f7/f8: Many lines end with Qf7# or Qe6#.
• Trapped Queen/King Hunts: Black’s queen can get snapped on d5 or h4; the king may be driven all the way to e1 or h5.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The name “Fried Liver” became popular in English-speaking chess circles after it was translated—somewhat inaccurately—from Fegatello. The original image is closer to “liver skewer.”
• In scholastic chess the line is notorious: many coaches teach the mnemonic “No Fried Liver, play Na5!”
• Engines evaluate 6.Nxf7 as objectively dubious (≈ +0.3 for Black with perfect defense), yet the practical score in amateur databases is over 60 % for White.
• World Champion Max Euwe once lost a friendly game in this line, admitting afterward that he “forgot his king was not an attacking piece.”

Practical Tips

For White

• Memorize the forcing sequence through at least move 10; one slip and the extra piece will tell.
• Develop rapidly—Bxd5 and O-O-O are often stronger than grabbing pawns.
• Watch out for the defensive resource …Nd4, blocking your queen checks.

For Black

• Best prevention: 5…Na5! or 5…b5!?
• If you accept the knight, remember the setup …Ke6, …Nb4, …c6, …Be7, …Rf8—the so-called “safe king walk.”
• Trade queens whenever possible; without the lady on the board White’s attack fizzles quickly.

Further Study

To deepen your understanding consider:

• Annotated games by Polerio and Greco.
• The chapter on the Fried Liver in John Emms, “Play The Open Games As Black”.
• Engine vs. engine sparring with a “no opening book” setting to practice finding resources over the board.