Fried Liver Attack (Two Knights · C57)
C57 · 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fried Liver Attack (C57: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7) is one of the cornerstone openings in ChessMinds Opening Codex Volume 1. When Black recaptures 5...Nxd5?!, sacrificing 6. Nxf7!! drags the Black King to e6 under direct fire from Qf3+ and Nc3!
White's Strategic Plans
- Follow 6. Nxf7!! Kxf7 with 7. Qf3+! Ke6 (only move to save d5) and 8. Nc3! piling massive pressure onto the pinned d5-Knight.
- Castle rapidly, bring Rd1/Re1 into the center, and rip open files against the stranded King on e6.
Black's Counterplay & Breaks
- To dodge the Fried Liver altogether, play the Polerio Defense 5...Na5! (instead of 5...Nxd5?!), hitting Bc4 with tempo.
- If already inside 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3, play 8...Nb4! defending d5 and counter-threatening ...Nxc2+.
Official Lichess ECO Sub-Variations
- C55 Italian Game: Two Knights Defense:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 - C55 Italian Game: Two Knights Defense:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. d4 Bxd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Bg5 d6 - C55 Italian Game: Two Knights Defense:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 - C55 Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 - C55 Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 - C55 Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. O-O d6
FAQ
What are the exact moves and ECO code of Fried Liver Attack (Two Knights · C57)?
In the official Lichess ECO database, Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fried Liver Attack carries code C57 and arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7.
Is Fried Liver Attack (Two Knights · C57) good for club players (800–1800 Elo)?
Yes! When Black recaptures 5...Nxd5?!, sacrificing 6. Nxf7!! drags the Black King to e6 under direct fire from Qf3+ and Nc3! Lichess cloud Stockfish NNUE at depth 50 scores the main tabiya at +0.88, giving rich strategic plans for both sides.
How do I memorize Fried Liver Attack (Two Knights · C57) variations without forgetting moves?
Open ChessMinds -> Labs -> Opening Codex -> Volume 01. Practice Guided & Recall drills for free (0 Focus Hearts) to earn 2 Stars, then pass the 10s/move Blindfold Trial for 3 Stars.