why do black play the traxler?

black has lost a pawn and cant castle, and as compensation he has....nothing?

Its something of a trap line if white messes up then he loses badly. But if he can navigate through the maze he will be better.

That position is still quite tricky for White, in practice. Almost certainly, Black will be better booked up and know all the tricks. I've been on the White side of that a few times (I prefer 6. Bb3) and struggled sometimes.

It's not just me. Masters' Database:

You have to tapdance through a minefield to make anything of your extra pawn. There is the open f-file & the Bishop aimed at f2. White's development is a bit behind--as in many 2 Knights variations and he really has no Act 2.

Sounds worth a shot.

I've had it come at me and I dread it.

All but once I have won using the traxler, this was out of five games I think. I am a low-rated player though and the initiative was always too much for my opponent. I feel this line gets worse as players get higher rated and therefore better at defending, but for low rated players it is very good for black.

yeah it does seems kind of complicated to play so if you face a unprepared player i guess it works. i just dont understand why to play it because the main variations with Na5 looks both easier to learn and more sound according to theory

One way or another, you're going to be down a pawn as black, the big question is: Which position do you think allows you the most counterplay?

That's some horrible analysis, blasterdragon.

6. .... h6 seems to allow 7. Nf7.

Take another look at 6. .... Nxd5.

EDIT: .... and anyway, 6. Bd5 is clearly inferior to 6. Bb3.... putting the Bishop securely out of the way but still causing mayhem on the a2-g8 diagonal.

a proverbial turning of the guns,, that is most interesting.  I'd much rather play it from blacks side.  White would have to do everything to pull back while black moves forward.  Having played as white d4, Bf4, Nc3 often I have recently givin it up in favor of positional and tempi gains.  Even if a rook is won there can be large complications Im assuming similar in this defense.   Im looking forward to trying this one out!

-_- i was supposed to put this move in as well don't get all agressive

No aggression from me, only unvarnished opinion.

Oh dear this analysis...

Basically the way to play against 6.Bd5 is 6...d6 and 6.Bb3 is 6...Qe8 with a similar plan of kingside pressure in each.  Black will have to accept a slight disadvatage with Bd5, and a 1/2 pawn compensation in the Bb3 variation.

Yes yes, the Polerio Variation is certainly much more sound when compared to the Traxler (not to mention it is a terrible choice for the top level with the amount of forced draws), but is the Traxler not a bigger otb nightmare for white?

I take it you're talking about the variation in which Black plays Ke7, whereas blasterdragon is looking at the Kf8 line. In the Kf8 line, it is my strongly held opinion that b3 is the correct square for the Bishop.

Oh right.  Missed that.

To be honest, the only variation I find interesting after 5...Kf8 6.Bb3 is the gambit line 6...d5 as it was played between 2300+ players.

I don't see how 4.Ng5 makes sense at anything besides very high levels, as giving Black an advantage in development and an attack in exchange for a pawn is not something I like to do with my White pieces... I'd rather give up the pawn!

I have never lost when my opponent has tried it one me... Never i always won I had more material in endgame.. And middle game

I bet that wouldn't be the same if a GM played you 

LordHarnois wrote:

skinnypurpleducks wrote:

I have never lost when my opponent has tried it one me... Never i always won I had more material in endgame.. And middle game

I bet that wouldn't be the same if a GM played you 

I know u don't have self confidence coz u r rated 1000 but me (1600) up 5-6 points in a blitz match.. It's a fair game mate

Woah I don't have self-confidence because of my chess rating in blitz. What dots have you connected there buddy.