The Traxler Counterattack, also known as the Wilkes-Barre Variation, is one of the wildest and most aggressive responses Black can play in the Two Knights Defense. It kicks off with:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6
4. Ng5 Bc5!?
Instead of defending the f7 pawn (which White is threatening with Ng5), Black throws caution to the wind and counterattacks the f2 square with their bishop. This leads to some truly chaotic lines like:
5. Nxf7 Bxf2+
5. Bxf7+ Ke7
🧨 Why it's spicy:
Black sacrifices material early to expose the white king and launch a tactical barrage.
It dodges the dreaded Fried Liver Attack and instead sets traps that can punish unprepared opponents.
If White missteps, Black can unleash a flurry of checks and threats that often lead to a quick mate or massive material gain.
⚠️ But beware:
Engines like Stockfish give White a solid edge if they play precisely.
It’s not considered sound at the highest levels, but it’s a fantastic weapon in blitz or rapid games where chaos reigns supreme2.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141167085200/review?move=45