Chess opening · ECO C57
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fried Liver Attack
The Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Fried Liver Attack starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7. It ranks #144 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
- 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
- 2... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6.
- 3. Bc4White develops the light-squared bishop to c4.
- 3... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
- 4. Ng5White moves the knight from f3 to g5.
- 4... d5Black pushes the d-pawn two squares to d5, staking a claim in the center. It now attacks the bishop on c4.
- 5. exd5White takes the pawn on d5 with the e-pawn. It now attacks the knight on c6.
- 5... Nxd5Black recaptures on d5 with the knight.
- 6. Nxf7White takes the pawn on f7 with the knight. It now attacks the queen on d8 and the rook on h8.
At the end of the line White is a pawn up. Black can take back on f7 at once.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Kxf7 is the most popular next move in every rating band.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Kxf7 100% | – | – |
| 1200–1399 | Kxf7 88% | Qh4 7% | Qf6 5% |
| 1400–1599 | Kxf7 94% | Qf6 3% | Qh4 2% |
| 1600–1799 | Kxf7 100% | – | – |
| 1800–1999 | Kxf7 100% | – | – |
| 2000 and up | Kxf7 100% | – | – |
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