Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack, Knight Sacrifice Line

With 5. Nxf7, White accepts the challenge of the Traxler head-on. The knight forks the queen on d8 and the rook on h8, the same capture seen in the Fried Liver Attack, but here Black has prepared an answer. The standard reply is 5...Bxf2+, played in roughly seven games out of ten, which drags the king into the open before White can collect the rook. After 6. Kxf2 Nxe4+ the king must choose a retreat, with 7. Kg1 and the King March Line 7. Ke3 the recommended options, and Black typically follows with ...Qh4. The quieter 6. Kf1 sidesteps further checks; 6...Qe7 7. Nxh8 d5 8. exd5 Nd4 gives Black a dangerous initiative, though 9. d6 keeps White ahead.

The engine rates the position as balanced, listing 5...Bxf2+, 5...Qe7 and 5...Na5 as its top choices. In practice 5...Bxf2+ gives Black the better results, while 5...Qe7 and especially the rare 5...O-O favor White. Draws are very uncommon, reflecting the all-or-nothing tactical play.