Main Attack (5...Nxd5)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 5...Nxd5 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 7.Qf3+
The classic Fried Liver. After 7...Ke6 8.Nc3, White wins back the piece with a devastating attack. Black's king is exposed and development lags badly.
For White· ECO C57· intermediate
Ataque Fegatello
O ataque táctico mais famoso da Italiana: sacrifica um cavalo para apanhar o rei no centro.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5
What is the Ataque Fegatello?
O Ataque Fegatello surge da Defesa dos Dois Cavalos após 1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Bc4 Cf6 4.Cg5 d5 5.exd5 Cxd5?? 6.Cxf7!. As brancas sacrificam um cavalo para forçar o rei preto ao centro: após 6...Rxf7 7.Df3+ Re6 8.Cc3, o rei preto fica exposto e o ataque branco dá vantagem decisiva na grande maioria das linhas. É uma armadilha clássica que todo o jogador de 1.e4 deve conhecer, tanto como arma contra adversários mal preparados como ponto de vigilância se jogar com pretas. 5...Ca5! é a resposta correcta que evita o ataque.
Main variations
Each variation below comes with a diagram and the main plan. Click "Train this opening" to drill every line with spaced repetition.
Lolli Attack
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 5...Nxd5 6.d4
A positional alternative to the Fried Liver. White plays for a big center and long-term pressure instead of an immediate sacrifice.
Traxler Counterattack (4...Bc5!?)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 4...Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+
Black's counter to the Fried Liver, ignore the f7 threat and attack with ...Bc5. After 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2, wild complications follow that favor Black at club level.
Common traps
Watch the trap unfold on the board, or step through move by move. These are patterns you can punish in your own games.
The classic Fried Liver
The full Fried Liver attack. Black's king on e6 is exposed, Nc3 brings another piece into the attack, and Black has no safe development.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 7.Qf3+ Ke6 8.Nc3
0/15
Start position
How deep should you study this?
Below 1200
As White, play the Fried Liver immediately, it wins games. As Black, learn the 5...Na5! move to avoid the trap.
1200–1600
Study the Lolli Attack as a positional alternative. It avoids Traxler theory and gives a slight long-term edge.
1600+
Master the Traxler Counterattack as Black. It's Black's best answer and surprisingly dangerous, White has to know precise lines.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fried Liver a good opening for White?
At club level, absolutely. Many opponents don't know 5...Na5 and fall into 5...Nxd5 (the Fried Liver trap). At higher levels, strong Black players play 4...d5 or 5...Na5, avoiding the attack entirely.
How does Black avoid the Fried Liver?
Two ways: (1) 4...d5! before Nxf7 tactics, White's best is 5.exd5 Na5! attacking the bishop and avoiding the trap. (2) If you allow 4.Ng5, play 4...Bc5!? (Traxler Counterattack) instead of 4...d5. Both avoid the Fried Liver entirely.
What is Black's best move on move 5?
5...Na5! is the main correct move. Black attacks the Bc4 bishop and avoids the Fried Liver. After 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Be2 h6 9.Nf3 e4, Black is a pawn down but has active pieces and good development as compensation.
Is the Fried Liver sound?
Only if Black cooperates with 5...Nxd5. Modern theory shows 5...Na5 is the correct move — Black is a pawn down but has sufficient compensation (active pieces, development lead). The Fried Liver remains a practical weapon at club level but is rarely seen in master games.
What is the Traxler Counterattack?
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5, Black plays 4...Bc5!? instead of the usual 4...d5. Black ignores the f7 threat and attacks first. After 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+, wild complications favor Black. Known as 'the Wilkes-Barre' in America.
Related openings
For White
Abertura Italiana
A abertura clássica 1.e4 e5 2.Cf3 Cc6 3.Bc4: princípios sólidos, tácticas ricas.
For White
Abertura Espanhola
A abertura mais jogada ao mais alto nível há 500 anos, pressão posicional duradoura a 1.e4.
For White
Gambito Evans
O gambito italiano da tradição romântica: sacrifício do peão de b4 para um desenvolvimento fulgurante.
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