Italian Game: Two Knights Defense

About this variation

Black plays 3...Nf6 and counterattacks e4. White's most direct try, 4. Ng5, leads to the sharp lines around the Fried Liver Attack.

The Two Knights Defense is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6. Instead of copying White's bishop, Black develops a second knight and attacks e4. The move is more provocative than 3...Bc5, because it allows 4. Ng5, attacking f7 with knight and bishop together.

After 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5, Black must avoid 5...Nxd5?!, which allows the Fried Liver Attack with 6. Nxf7, a famous sacrifice that drags the king into the open. The main line is 5...Na5, gaining time against the bishop and giving up a pawn for development and attacking chances after 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6. Black can also choose the wild Traxler Counterattack, 4...Bc5, which sacrifices f7 for a counterattack against White's king.

White's quieter options avoid most of the tactics. 4. d3 leads back towards the Giuoco Pianissimo, while 4. d4 opens the center and can lead to the Max Lange Attack. In these lines the themes are fast development and central breaks, and the side that coordinates the pieces first usually gets the better game.

The Two Knights suits Black players who are willing to give up a pawn for activity and want to fight for the initiative against the Italian. White players should at least know the main line of 4. Ng5, since club opponents often walk into the traps around f7.

For club players, the most important thing is to know the opening traps from both sides. White should know how to punish 5...Nxd5 with the Fried Liver or the safer 6. d4, and Black should know that 5...Na5 is the reliable path. With those points clear, the Two Knights becomes a rewarding fighting opening. It has been a favorite of attacking players with Black since the nineteenth century.

It is one of the main lines of the Italian Game.