Doesn't that just lose a bishop and the exchange? Doesn't seem like the best counter attack to me...
The Traxler Counter Attack
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acabeck wrote:
Doesn't that just lose a bishop and the exchange? Doesn't seem like the best counter attack to me...
I think it is a little bit more complicated than that but I think that black is worse in this position.
Jan 19, 2013
0
#4
Here are som games in the Traxler.The plane is to checkmate the white king early in the game.
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1224609
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1224607
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1226011
It might not ultimately be sound, but if white is unprepared it could easily be over in 10 moves. Obviously, if 6.Kxf2, Ng4+, and next move black can bring his queen out, and all hell ensues. Not for the faint hearted. Excellent video on this at the chesswebsite.com
to reduce the attack firepower, I'd reccomend Bxf7+ and be a safe pawn up
Jan 19, 2013
0
#7
will_gr wrote:
It might not ultimately be sound, but if white is unprepared it could easily be over in 10 moves. Obviously, if 6.Kxf2, Ng4+, and next move black can bring his queen out, and all hell ensues. Not for the faint hearted. Excellent video on this at the chesswebsite.com
After Kxf2 Nxe4+ is better then Ng4. I have seen the video, it's very good. I found it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te4yVda5mhI
@Skakmadurinn, yeah sorry, my mistake. Love those games you posted too, the first one is an absolute brute!
Jan 19, 2013
0
#9
Yeah, 6.Ke2 is bad move that allows black fantastic mating net. And ajian, 5. Bxf7 is good option but 5. Nxf7 is much more fun, at least for black 
Jan 20, 2013
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#10
Actually the position after 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ is almost losing for white. 5.Bxf7+ is best and after 5...Ke7 6. Bd5 white is better, according to theory.
Jan 20, 2013
0
#11
http://www.kenilworthchessclub.org/kenilworthian/2007/08/traxler-counter-attack-wilkes-barre.html
Interested parties should definitely check this link out it has a dozen or so links to some excellent articles including 5 from New In Chess YearBooks. You can save and/or print out any of the articles that strike your fancy.
BTW, for the record the NIC YB articles conclude that the Traxler is unsound and there is not just one bust, but several.
Jan 20, 2013
0
#12
bjornivark wrote:
Actually the position after 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ is almost losing for white. 5.Bxf7+ is best and after 5...Ke7 6. Bd5 white is better, according to theory.
The man has spoken
acabeck wrote:
Doesn't that just lose a bishop and the exchange? Doesn't seem like the best counter attack to me...
I'd gladly play anyone who plays kxf2.
I up the topic because, I have question about the Traxler. On this variation :
The main line is 6. Bd5
I don't understand why whites put directly their bishop on d5 because NxBd5 is possible !
Other lines : 6. Bb3 ... ok but my question is the same after 6. ... Na5, why not play 6. Bc4 and back on e2 after 6. ... Na5. 7. Be2.
The Bishop of whites square is very powerfull for italian game so why whites don't try to keep it ?
Thank you for you help.
bjornivark wrote:
Actually the position after 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ is almost losing for white. 5.Bxf7+ is best and after 5...Ke7 6. Bd5 white is better, according to theory.
Not true, after bxf2 then Kf1 is fine...
according to houdini declining the bishop leads to a 1.3 pawn advantage for white but accepting it quickly leads to rough equality if not better for black after 1...Nxe4+ 2.Kg1 etc...
Mar 1, 2015
0
#17
Here a sort of historical retrospect on the Traxler:
Chess in the Wild, Part 1
Chess in the Wild, Part 2
Chess in the Wild, Part 3
Chess in the Wild, Part 4
Mar 2, 2015
0
#18
The best line for white is actually. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5?!
5. Nxf7 Bxf2 6. Kf1! This prevents blacks pieces to attack the king. For example Nxe4+ is not available right now. 6...Qe7 7. Nxa8 Nxe4.
The Traxler Counter Attack is very crazy opening!