Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack

Traxler Counterattack
abcdefgh
8
a8 black rook
c8 black bishop
d8 black queen
e8 black king
h8 black rook
a7 black pawn
b7 black pawn
c7 black pawn
d7 black pawn
f7 black pawn
g7 black pawn
h7 black pawn
c6 black knight
f6 black knight
c5 black bishop
e5 black pawn
g5 white knight
c4 white bishop
e4 white pawn
a2 white pawn
b2 white pawn
c2 white pawn
d2 white pawn
f2 white pawn
g2 white pawn
h2 white pawn
a1 white rook
b1 white knight
c1 white bishop
d1 white queen
e1 white king
h1 white rook
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Moves1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5
ECOC57
OriginReinisch vs. Traxler, Hostouň 1890
Named afterKarel Traxler
ParentTwo Knights Defense
Synonym(s)Wilkes-Barre Variation

The Traxler Counterattack, also known as the Wilkes-Barre Variation, is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Ng5 Bc5!?

The opening is a variation of the Two Knights Defense[1][2] where White has chosen the offensive line 4.Ng5, immediately attacking the f7-square with the knight and bishop, and Black has replied 4...Bc5, counterattacking the f2-square. It is one of several ways Black can avoid the Fried Liver Attack.[3]

The variation was first seen in the game J. Reinisch–Karel Traxler played in Hostouň in 1890.[4] Later it was named after Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania by Frank Marshall, who claimed to be first to analyze and publish it, so today 4...Bc5 is known as both the Traxler Variation[4] and (in the United States and the United Kingdom[5] only) the Wilkes-Barre Variation.[6][7]

The opening is classified as code C57 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings.

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
  1. ^ "The Traxler Counter Attack". ChessBase. 13 June 2004. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  2. ^ Kasparov, Gary; Keene, Raymond (1982). Batsford Chess Openings. B.T.Batsford Ltd. ISBN 0-7134-2114-2.
  3. ^ "Checkmate in the Traxler Counterattack – Chessable Blog". Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b Hooper & Whyld (1996), p. 428. Traxler Variation.
  5. ^ Elburg, John (2002). "New in Chess Year book issue 65". Chessbook Reviews. Chess Books. Archived from the original on 24 September 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  6. ^ Hooper & Whyld (1996), p. 448. Wilkes-Barre variation.
  7. ^ "The Wilkes-Barre/Traxler Variation". ChessManiac. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2022.