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ECO C57BlackA line in the Traxler Counterattack

Learn the Traxler: 5.Nxf7 Kxf7 6.Kf1 d5 (the d5 break) line in the Traxler Counterattack

When White grabs on d5 with the bishop, Black recaptures, plays the standard ...Nd4 and ...Bg4, and generates a powerful attack with the bishop pair while White's pieces remain disorganized.

The moves you’ll play

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bc4Nf6
  4. 4.Ng5Bc5
  5. 5.Nxf7Bxf2+
  6. 6.Kf1Qe7
  7. 7.Nxh8d5
  8. 8.Bxd5Nxd5
  9. 9.exd5Nd4
  10. 10.c3Bg4

The line continues — master it move by move in the app.

Your coach, move by move

  1. 1... e5We contest the center.
  2. 2... Nc6We develop and pressure e4.
  3. 3... Nf6We attack e4 into the Two Knights.
  4. +7 more coached moves waiting in the app

Key ideas behind this line

  • Black's core idea: after 5.Nxf7, strike with 5...Bxf2+ and 6...Nxe4+, dragging the white king out and chasing it with ...Qh4 and ...Rf8 - the attack, not material, is the goal.
  • Use the half-open f-file and a big lead in development; even a piece down, the exposed white king gives full compensation and frequently a mating attack.
  • Know the perpetual-check draws (the ...Qxg3+ shuffle after g3 lines) as a safety net, so the variation is essentially never losing even against best defense.

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More lines in this opening

Traxler Counterattack: Main Line, 5.Nxf7 (Kxf7)

The critical main line: White grabs the rook on f7, but Black sacrifices a bishop on f2 to rip open the king and generate a raging attack down the f-file and around the exposed monarch. With the rook pinning along the f-file and queen on g3, Black has full compensation and practical chances.

Traxler: 5.Nxf7 Kxf7 6.Bxf7+ Variation

When White declines to take the bishop with 6.Kf1, Black calmly develops with ...Qe7 and the strong central break ...d5, trapping the knight on h8 and building a powerful initiative with the bishop pair pointing at the king.

Traxler: 5.Bxf7+ (the safe try)

White takes the safe route with 5.Bxf7+, giving back the bishop but unbalancing Black's king. Black calmly tucks the king on e7, regroups behind the f-file rook, and uses the half-open f-file and active bishop for full equality.

Traxler: 5.Nxf7 Kxf7 6.Kf1 Rf8

In this attacking branch Black ignores the trapped knight and goes straight for the king with ...Nd4, ...Bg4 and the crushing ...Nf3, exploiting the pin and the open lines toward f1.

Traxler: 5.Nxf7 Kxf7 6.Qf3+ (the queen check)

After 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ White tries the bold 7.Ke3, walking the king up the board. Black hunts it relentlessly with ...Qh4 and tactics around g3, regaining material with a continuing attack.

Traxler: 5.Nxf7 Kxf7 6.Kg1 (declining the bishop)

White retreats with 7.Kf1 to hide the king; Black builds with ...Qh4 and ...Nd4, exploiting pins and the loose king to win back material and reach a comfortable, double-edged middlegame.

Traxler: 5.Nxf7 Kxf7 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 Nd4 (immediate Nd4)

A direct attacking try where Black plays ...Nd4 before ...d5, mixing piece pressure and the central break to dominate the light squares around White's king and win the b3-bishop while the corner knight stays trapped.

Traxler: 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bd5 (bishop retreat)

In the quiet 5.Bxf7+ line, White tries Nd5+ to trade off Black's strong knight; Black recaptures, redeploys the queen to g6 eyeing the kingside, and stands fully equal with active pieces and the open f-file.

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