Traxler Counter-Attack: Definition & Key Concepts

Traxler Counter-Attack (Wilkes-Barre Variation)

Definition

The Traxler Counter-Attack is a daring sideline of the Two Knights Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5. Instead of the classical reply 4…d5, Black shocks the opponent with 4…Bc5!?, immediately placing the bishop on an active diagonal and inviting razor-sharp tactical complications. In most databases it is catalogued as ECO code C57.

How the Line Unfolds

• 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kxf2 Nxe4+ leads to wild king hunts where Black sacrifices material for initiative.
• 5. Bxf7+ Ke7 6. Bb3 d5 allows Black to castle by hand and exploit the time White spent capturing on f7.
• The position is objectively risky for Black (modern engines give White a theoretical edge) but practically it offers excellent winning chances thanks to unfamiliar positions and tactical mines.

Strategic Themes

• Initiative over Material: Black willingly parts with pawns (and sometimes a rook) to keep White’s king in the center or on f2.
• Open Lines against the King: The e-file, a7–g1 and a5–e1 diagonals become launching pads for attacks.
• Development Race: Whoever finishes development first usually wins; one tempo often swings the evaluation from +2 to mate.
• Psychological Impact: Because many club players expect 4…d5, the surprise value of 4…Bc5!? cannot be overstated.

Historical Notes

• Named after Czech priest–problemist Karel Traxler, who analyzed the idea in 1890 and published it in 1895.
• In the United States it is also called the Wilkes-Barre Variation after analysis by players from the Wilkes-Barre Chess Club (Pennsylvania) in the 1920s.
• Grandmasters such as Hikaru Nakamura, Alexei Shirov, and Alexander Morozevich have experimented with the line, proving that it remains dangerous even at elite level.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The following 17-move slugfest shows the typical tactical motifs (arrows highlight Black’s attacking routes):

Material is roughly balanced, yet Black’s pieces swarm around White’s exposed monarch—a textbook Traxler scenario.

Famous Encounters

• Short vs. Morozevich, Wijk aan Zee 1999 – Morozevich uncorked the Traxler, sacrificed a rook, but Short navigated the complications and eventually prevailed.
• M. Chigorin vs. K. Traxler, Consultation Game 1896 – Traxler himself used the line to stun analysts of his day, demonstrating that 19th-century romantic chess wasn’t dead yet.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Because many engines initially misjudge the attack, some blitz specialists “pre-engineer” positions from home prep to spring the Traxler in Bullet and Blitz formats.
• In correspondence chess the variation enjoys less success—deep analysis often neutralizes Black’s initiative, underscoring its practical rather than theoretical soundness.
• Legend has it that the first time Traxler showed the move 4…Bc5 to Prague masters, the room fell silent before someone muttered, “That cannot be sound!”—a verdict still debated over a century later.

Practical Advice

1. If you play White and face 4…Bc5!?, know the critical 5.Nxf7 line; memorization alone is not enough—understand why each move is played.
2. If you adopt the Traxler as Black, be prepared for forced tactical lines up to move 15–20. One slip and the game can end instantly.
3. Use the surprise factor in rapid or online games, but think twice in classical tournaments against well-prepared opponents.

Summary

The Traxler Counter-Attack is chess’s equivalent of walking a tightrope without a safety net. Its blend of historical romance, tactical fireworks, and psychological punch makes it a perennial favorite for adventurous players seeking to unbalance the game from move four.