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I've been playing a few bullet chess games these days, and in one of them I had to face the Traxler. Since the Traxler is a very sharp opening and the fast time controls do not allow for the deep thinking you sometimes need in this positions, how do you handle the kind of positions that arise from the Traxler?

This is the current state of the analysis. I haven't incorporated mysticknight's suggestion from post #154 from the original forum yet. What is a main and a side variation is a little arbitrary, but this is a start.

Virtually ALL of the lines after ...c3 and bg4.

In almost all games i get with the Traxler, these variation arises, and i have a bit of difficulty to pick up a win for black, probably due to my lack on theory. Can someone help me on this?

This topic is intended for the discussion of the Traxler variations beginning with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+, including all White seventh moves other than Ke3 (which will be discussed in a seperate topic). The current accepted status of this variation is that 7.Kg1 is White's best move, leading to perpetual check and a draw. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ A) 7. Kf1? Qh4 A1) 8.g3 Qf6+ -+ gives Black an unstoppable attack. A2) 8.Qe1 Ng3+ 9.Kg1 (9.Qxg3 Qxc4+ 10.Kg1 Qxf7 leaves Black up a pawn) 9...Qd4+ 10.Qf2 Qxf2+ 11.Kxf2 Nxh1+ 12.Kg1 Rf8 -/+ with advantage to Black B) 7.Ke2? Nd4+ will transpose to a different line with the c6-Knight at a more centralized position. C) 7.Ke1? Qh4+ 8.g3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 Qxh1+ where White's Knight, Bishop, or Queen will soon fall, i.e. 10.Ke2 Qd4+, 10.Kf2 Qxd1, or 10.Bf1 Kxf7 -/+ all with a material advantage for Black D) 7.Kf3? Qf6+ 8.Kxe4 d5+ 9.Bxd5 Qf4+ 10.Kd3 Qd4+ 11.Ke2 Qxd5 -+ threatens both Qxf7 and Bg4+ skewering King and Queen E) 7. Kg1 Qh4 E1) 8.Qf3?! Nd4 E1A) 9.Qf1 Rf8 10.Nc3 (10.c3 Ne6 -+ rounds up White's Knight. Black has an attack that will eventually put him ahead in material) 10...Ng5 11.g3 (to attempt to save the Knight) 11...Ndf3+ 12.Kg2 Qh3+ 13.Kf2 Qf5 with a winning attack for Black. -+ E1B) 9.Qe3 Nxc2 10.Qe2 Rf8 =/+ E2) 8.Qf1 Rf8 where Black will soon round up the Knight. =/+ E3) 8.g3 Nxg3 9.Nxh8 (9.d3 Rf8 10.hxg3 Qxg3+ 11.Kf1 d5 12.Bxd5 Bh3+ = will lead to perpetual; 9.d4 Ne4 -+ again with a winning attack; 9.hxg3 Qxg3+ 10.Kf1 Rf8 = and once Black developes the c6 Knight further he has at least perpetual; 9.Qe1 Qxc4 10.Nxh8 Ne2+ and White will soon succumb to the attack with the c6 and e2 Knights and the Queen. In some lines it will be necessary to play d5 and develop the Bishop) 9...Nd4 (9...d5 may be playable as well) E3A) 10.hxg3 Qxg3+ 11.Kf1 Qf4+ 12.Kg2 = and Black has perpetual E3B) 10.Bd3 d6 11.hxg3 Qxg3+ 12.Kf1 Bh3+ -+ is a winning attack for Black E3C) 10.Bf7+ Kf8 11.hxg3 Qxg3+ 12.Kf1 Qf4+ = with perpetual E3D) 10.d2 Nge2+ 11.Kf1 d5 12.Bxd5 Bh3+ 13.Bg2 Bxg2+ 14.Kxg2 Qg4+ 15.Kf1 0–0–0 16.Ke1 Rf8 -+ with a winning attack E3E) 10.Nc3 d6 11.h3 Nxh1 = and Black gets either perpetual or a winning attack If you have questions or comments about any lines after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kxf2 Nxe4+ K(any but e3), this is the place to post them. As needed, new threads may be posted for important lines.

A while ago, I came across this line in the Traxler: I played Qc5+ and eventually lost. Is dxc4 a winning alternative?

A fun game againist the Traxler i played in a bullet game(nowadays my prefered form to play chess lately). I think my opponent don't know the Traxler at all.

"A pawn move must not be considered in itself to be a developing move, but rather simply a move which helps development. This is an important rule for beginners. ... the pawn is not a fighting unit in the sense that the opponent would be afraid if it crossed the border, because the attacking force of the pawns is naturally tiny compared to the pieces. However an advance without pawns is unsustainable, because our opponent's pawn centre thanks to its desire to expand, would repel those of our pieces which are already developed. For that reason, we should first set up a pawn centre in order to protect the development of our pieces. ... [I]t follows that pawn moves in the development phase are only permitted if they help occupy the centre or have some logical connection with the occupation of the centre. So, if only the above-mentioned pawn moves are allowed, that means that the much loved advances of the rook pawns should be considered as a waste of time. (In closed games, this rule is only partially relevant; there is less direct contact with the enemy and development is completed at a slower pace). ... In the open game, speed of development is the overriding law. Each piece should be developed with only one move. Each and every pawn move - with the exception of those which either establish or support your own centre, or attack that of your opponent - can be considered a waste of time. So - as was already made clear by Lasker - 1-2 pawn moves in the opening, no more." Aron Nimzowitsch. My System. 1925/2007. page 17-19

Hi i just recently play a game with this line i dont found in the forums, what this about it? is a mistake? 1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. Nxh8 d5 8.Be2

What do you guys think of this variation? 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bb3 d5 I found a game between Dlugy Maxim (2531) and Lee Wang-Sheng (2254) If this gambit has some merit, then possibly 6.Bd5 might be better to prevent this gambit.

In GM John Emms' More Simple Chess, he talks about transition squares, eg. a3 on a knight's route from b1 to c4. In GM Jacob Aagaard's Attacking Manual 2, he attaches some importance to this concept, recommending that if you have a hole on your third rank, you should be careful not to allow your opponent's knight access to any transition squares en route to that outpost. For instance, in the following game, GM Danielsen saw 25...Rc4 as his critical mistake allowing White to exchange, and get access for his knight to e4. IM Mark Dvoretsky talking about 'transit squares:' - http://www.chesscafe.com/text/dvoretsky121.pdf Emms' original idea was that a transition square was on the edge of the board, and that the piece would be out of play until it could be brought back. Aagaard includes central squares where the knight might be fulfilling important roles such as attacking pieces or pawns before moving on to other tasks. For Dvoretsky, there seems to be the idea that there is a narrow path through to the enemy's side of the board, but a hole that allows one through to occupy outposts, carry out exchanges, etc.

I wish this rain to never stop because my pain will never drop even when the sun is up and all the stains I'm covered by controll my life outside this room I wish this water drown's my soul and wash my body down to earth I wish the echo of their screams would one day disappear for good. I wish my memory of love would grasp my neck and brake it. And although I still have my pain I'd wish to wear hers as my cape. but all I want is not that bad because I have another wish: I wish the name that scars my grave to live to see another day. "And sometimes I wish I could give you a kiss."

This section deals with with the variation after 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bd5. The current status is that black is fine in this variation. White can choose between the complicated 7.0-0 or the easier 7.Bxc6. The 7.0-0 variation is extremely complex and it is not clear in some lines whether either side has an advantage. Black should have enough compensation for equality with best play. White should look at variation A3. 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bd5 Rf8 Best move for black by test; threatens Bxf2+. Two ways to play for white. A: 7.0-0 d6 Now white has four moves: A1: 8.c3 Bg4 and white has three queen moves: 9.Qa4 Qe8 10.Bxc6 Qxc6 11.Qxc6 bxc6 and black is better 9.Qb3 Bb6 10.Bxc6 (10.h3 h6 11.d4 (11.Nf7 Qd7 12.hxg4 Qxg4) 11...hxg5 12.hxg4 Qe8) 10...bxc6 11.h3 h6 12.hxg4 hxg5 13.d4 Qe8 9.Qe1 h6 10.d4 Bb6 11.h3 hxg5 12.hxg4 Qd7 13.Na3 (13.Bxg5? Qxg4 14.Bxf6+ Rxf6 and black has a huge initiative) 13...Qxg4 14.f3 Qh5 15.Nc4 g4 16.Nxb6 axb6 17.Qg3 exd4 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.cxd4 gxf3 20.gxf3 g5 21.e5 Nh7 22.Kg2 Rae8 23.Bd2 Qg6 24.Rae1 Kd8 25.Rh1 with a mess. A2: 8.d3 Bg4 9.Qd2 (9.Nf3 Nd4! 10.Nbd2 (10.c3? Nxf3+ 11.gxf3 Bh3 12.Re1 Qe8 13.Qd2 Nxd5 14.exd5 Rxf3 15.Qg5+ Kd7 16.d4 Qf7 17.Be3 h6; 10.Bxb7? Rb8 11.Ba6 Qe8 12.Nbd2 Qg6 Kh1 Nd7) 10...Nxf3+ 11.Nxf3 Nxd5 12.exd5 Bxf3 13.gxf3 Kd7 14.Be3 Rf5 15.Bxc5 dxc5 16.Qe2 and black is better) 9...h6 10.h3 Bd7 11.Nf3 Qe8 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.b4 Bb6 14.Nc3? (14.c4 Nxe4 15.dxe4 Rxf3 16.c5 dxc5 17.bxc5 Bxc5 18.Qa5 Bd4 19.Nd2 Rd3 20.Rb1 Qg6; 14.Qd1 Qg6 15.Kh1) 14...Nh5 15.Kh2? (15.Qd1) 15...Rxf3 16.gxf3 Nf4 17.Ne2 Qh5 18.Nxf4 exf4 19.Rh1 Bxh3 20.d4 Rf8 A3: 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Nf3 Kf7!? (9...Bg4 10.c3 Qe8 11.d4 exd4 12.cxd4 Bxf3 13.gxf3 Bb6 14.Kh1 and white has reasonable chances of consolidating) 10.d4 (10.c3 Kg8 11.d4 exd4 12.cxd4 Bb6) 10...exd4 11.Nxd4 Kg8 12.Qd3 Qe8 unclear A4: 8.h3 Qe8 9.c3 (9.d3 Qg6 (9...h6!? 10.Nf3 Qh5 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Nc3 (12.Be3 Bxh3 13.gxh3 Nxe4 14.dxe4 (14.Nxe5 Qxe5 15.d4 Qf5 16.dxc5 Qxh3 17.cxd6+ Kd7 18.dxc7+ Kxc7 19.Nd2 Nxd2 20.Bxd2 Rf3 21.Ba5+ Kb7 22.Qd4 Rg3+ 23.fxg3 Qxg3+ leads to a draw) 14...Rxf3 15.Nd2 Raf8 16.Nxf3 Rxf3 17.Bxc5 dxc5 18.Re1 Qg6+ 19.Kf1 Rxh3 with perpetual check coming) 12...g5! and black has a strong attack) 10.Kh1 (10.Bxc6!?) 10...h6 11.Nf3 Nxd5! 12.exd5 Nb4 13.Nc3 Qh5 14.Ne1 (14.a3? Bg4 15.axb4 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Rxf3 17.bxc5 Rf6 and black wins) 14...Qxd1 15.Nxd1 Nxd5 16.c4 Nf4 17.Nc3 Be6) 9...Qg6 10.d4 Bb6 11.f4 (11.Be3 Nh5 12.Qd2 Nf4 and black has a strong initiative) 11...exf4 12.Bxf4 h6 13.Nf3 Nxd5 14.exd5 Rxf4 15.dxc6 bxc6 and black is slightly better. B: 7.Bxc6 dxc6 8.Qe2 (8.d3 Ng4 9.Nh3 Nxf2 10.Bg5+ Kd6! 11.Bxd8 (11.Qh5 Bg4 12.Qxh7 Qd7) 11...Nxd1 12.Bxc7+ Kxc7 13.Kxd1 Rf6 and black has a significant advantage) 8...Qe8 9.0-0 (9.d3 Qg6 10.Nf3 Nh5 with compensation) 9...Qg6 10.d3 Bg4 11.Qe1 h6 12.b4 Bd6 13.h3 Bh5 14.c4 Kd7 and black is better.

Please post in game editor with analysis. Do you think that after 5 Bxf7+ white has an advantage? 5Nxf7+ is bad for white. Right? Please post your games when you played white or black. Thanks a lot.

It has been a while for this group as far as playing votechess. We have been invited to a votechess thematic team tournament due to our strength. I have made this topic to see our interest in the proposition and how many players we have on board. The proposed layout by Billium248 is this: 2 separate tournaments: 1 white, 1 black Swiss format - 5 rounds 2-days per move 2 simultaneous games (1 white, 1 black) play with as many groups as you want starting position must fit within group designation, and be approved by opponent Since we are a black defense group, we would play against other black defense groups to avoid any problems where one team would not get a chance to play their specialty. I am interested in doing this, and I have some new theory I haven't released in the 5.Bxf7+ variation. Any takers?

This section deals with White's alternatives to 9.d6. Due to the outcome of the 9.d6 variation, White's best chance in the Nxf7 variation may lie in line G. To summarize: Against 9.h3 Bh4, white should play 10.c3. Against 9.h3 Bg3, white can play all three alternatives although 10.c3 and 10.d6 probably offer White's best chances. If both of those variations fail to offer white an advantage, white still has 10.a4. A: 9.Kxf2? This is a really poor move that takes too much time allowing black to initiate a winning attack. 9...Bg4! 10.Qf1 (10.Qe1 Nxc2 11.d6 Qxd6) 10...Ne4+ 11.Ke3 (11.Kg1 Ne2+) 11...Qg5+ 12.Kxe5 (12.Kd3 Be2) 12...Bf5+ 13.Kxe5 0-0-0 14.Kxd4 Qf6+ 15.Ke3 Re8+ 16.Kf3 Bd3+ 17.Kg3 Qg5+ 18.Kh3 h5 and it is mate in 7. B: 9.b3?? This move is even worse than the last variation. 9...Bg4! 10.Ba3 Qd7 11.Qc1 Qf5 and it is mate in 6. C: 9.d3? This move appears good at first, but it soon becomes apparent that white is in trouble. 9...Bg4 10.Qd2 (10.d6 Qd7 11.Qd2 Bh4 with the threat of 12...Qf5) 10...Bh4 11.Nc3 (11.d6 Qd7!) 11...Qf8 12.Kg1 Be2 13.Nxe2 Ne4 and black has a substantial advantage with a strong attack to boot. D: 9.c3? Another error by white. 9...Bg4 10.Qa4+ (10.d6 cxd6! transposes to 9.d6 cxd6 10.c3 Bg4 in my other topic) 10...Nd7 11.Kxf2 (11.cxd4 Qf6 12.dxe5 Qf4) 11...Qh4+ 12.g3 (12.Kf1 0-0-0; 12.Kf1 Qg5 13.Kf2 Qf4+ followed by 0-0-0) 12...Qf6+ 13.Ke1 (13.Kg1 Ne2+ and white will not survive) 13...Qf5 14.cxd4 Qe4+ 15.Kf2 Qf3+ 16.Ke1 Qxh1+ 17.Bf1 0-0-0 18.Nf7 Qe4+ and it is mate in 9. E: 9.Nc3? This just allows black to equalize and have the advantage. 9...Bg4 10.Be2 Nxe2 11.Nxe2 Qf8 and white has problems to solve. F: 9.Be2 This move is one of White's better alternatives, but it allows black to equalize. 9...Bh4 10.c3 Nxe2 11.Qxe2 Bg4 12.Qb5+ Nd7 13.Kg1 Qf6 14.Qf1 Qb6+ 15.d4 0-0-0 black has advantage and attack. G: 9.h3 Now this move is a good alternative. Black has two options: G1: 9...Bh4 and white can enter heavy complications with c3 or continue with d6. 9.h3 Bh4 10.c3 Nf5 (10...Ne4, 10...Ng4, and 10...Qf8 would all be met by 11.cxd4 followed by 12.Qf3) 11.d4 e4 12.Bd2 e3 13.Be1 Bf2 14.Bxf2 exf2 15.Qc1 Ne4 16.g4 Neg3+ 17.Kf2 Nxh1+ 18.Kg1 and white is winning. 9.h3 Bh4 10.d6 cxd6 transposes to 9.d6 cxd6 10.h3 Bh4 in my other topic. 11.g3 may be an improvement, keeping a knight out of g3. 11.g3 Ne4 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Qxh4 Qf8 14.Bf7+ 10...Qf8 11.g3 10...Qxd6 11.Nf7 Qc5 (11...Qb6 12.d3) 12.Na3 seems to be winning, but black has the advantage after 12...e4. G2: 9.h3 Bg3 Now 10.d6 cxd6 would transpose into 9.d6 cxd6 10.h3 Bg3 in my other topic. 10.d6 Qxd6 11.c3 Be6 12.d3 Bxc4 13.dxc4 Nf5 14.Qxd6 Nxd6 15.c5 Nde4 16.Ke2 and white has an endgame advantage. 10.d6 Qd7! 11.Kg1 Qf5 12.Qf1 Qxf1+ 13.Kxf1 Nxc2 14.Nc3 Nxa1 15.Nb5 Kf8 16.Nxc7 Rb8 17.a4 and white has a small endgame advantage. 10.c3 is the normal move, but Black's bishop is not well placed at g3. Unfortunately, theory dismisses it just without comment. 10.c3 Nf5 11.d6 cxd6 transposes to 9.d6 cxd6 10.h3 Bg3 11.c3 Nf5 12.Bf7+ in my other topic. 10.c3 Nf5 11.d6 Qxd6 12.d3 Be6 13.Bxe6 Qxe6 14.Qf3? e4 15.dxe4 Nxe4 and black has the advantage. In addition, White's defense will be difficult with Black's initiative. Better is 14.Qb3! Qxb3 15.axb3 and white is well placed for the endgame up the exchange after 15...a6 16.Ke2 Ke7 17.Rf1 Nh4 18.Bg5 Rxh8 19.Ra4 10.c3 Nf5 11.d6 Nxd6! 12.Qf3 Nxc4 13.Qxg3 Be6 14.d3 0-0-0! 15.Kg1 Nd6 16.Qxe5 Rxh8 when black has excellent compensation for the pawn and exchange. If none of those lines work for white, then there is another idea by Maartin de Zeeuw who suggests the stunning 10.a4!? 10.a4!? Qf8 11.Ra3 Ne4+ 12.Rf3 Bf4 13.Qe1 Nxf3 14.Qxe4 Ng5 15.Bb5+ Kd8 16.Qe2 Qxh8 17.Nc3 Qf8 18.Qf2 when white is simply up a pawn in the endgame.

This forum is for the discussion of the line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.d4. This is not a very aggressive try for White and Black should equalize with little trouble. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.d4 d5 A. 6.dxc5 dxc4 7.Qxd8+ Nxd8 gives easy equality B. 6.Bxd5 is an interesting position. Theory recommends 6...Nxd4 with more complications after 7.Bxf7 or 7.Nxf7, but Fritz gives 6...Bb4+ 7.c3 Nxd5 with equality, for example 8.exd5 Qxd5 9.cxb4 Qxg2 10.Qf3 Qxf3 11.Nxf3 e4 12.Ng5 Nxb4 with an imbalanced, interesting position. Apparently, to prevent Black's Knight from occupying the outpost on d3 White must sacrifice a pawn, giving Black three pawns for a piece. C. 6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Bb3 Qe7 8.Bxd5 Bg4 9.f3 0-0-0 -+ because although Black will lose a pawn or two if White grabs material, his attack is more than powerful enough to make up for it. D. 6.exd5 Nxd4 =/+ with material even, Black's development gives him an advantage

I've recently played a game using what seems to be the Traxler's main line in the Nxf7 variation(1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6.Kf1 Qe7 7.Nxh8 d5 8.exd5 Nd4 9.d6 Qxd6), and my opponent played 10.Bf7+, which I have not found in the forums. Here, Black has 4 choices: 10...Kf8 seems the safer move in the position. In my game, we followed with 11.Bc4 Ne4 12.c3 Nf5 13.Qf3 Qc6 14.Qxf5??, where he blundered his queen. I have not been able to find an improvement for white in this line till move 14. 10...Kd8 is the other "safe move" in the position, but after 11.Bc4 white can get his Knight out of the corner with check, thus saving it. 10...Ke7 looks more risky. I haven't still haven't looked deeply at this position. 10...Kd7 seems to be the weakest move in the position. It blocks the c8 bishop and after 11.c3 black's Knight is forced back and white can move 12.Qb3, which does not look good.

Some nice puzzles: If you struggled with the last puzzle you may not want to try this one.... Those two puzzles came out of the Traxler Gambit. I have made a Tourney for the Traxler Gambit so if you like it, please feel free to join here: http://www.chess.com/tournament/traxler-gambit-tourney-1 !! CAUTION:If you play the Traxler Gambit VERY sharp lines will occur!