Two Knights Defense, Traxler Counterattack
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| Moves | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | C57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Reinisch vs. Traxler, Hostouň 1890 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Named after | Karel Traxler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | Two Knights Defense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Synonym(s) | Wilkes-Barre Variation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Traxler Counterattack, also known as the Wilkes-Barre Variation, is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
The opening is a variation of the Two Knights Defense where White has chosen the offensive line 4.Ng5, immediately attacking the f7-square with the knight and bishop, and Black has replied 4...Bc5, counterattacking the f2-square. It is one of several ways Black can avoid the Fried Liver Attack.
The variation was first seen in the game J. Reinisch–Karel Traxler played in Hostouň in 1890. Later it was named after Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania by Frank Marshall, who claimed to be first to analyze and publish it, so today 4...Bc5 is known as both the Traxler Variation and (in the United States and the United Kingdom only) the Wilkes-Barre Variation.
The opening is classified as code C57 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings.