Sacrificing on f7 when Black played 5...Na5
The Fried Liver only works after 5...Nxd5. Against 5...Na5, save the bishop with 6.Bb5+.
Opening guide · Italian Game, Two Knights
The Fried Liver Attack: play it and know the answers
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5?!, White sacrifices a knight with 6.Nxf7 and drags the black king into the open. Here is how it works, and what to play when Black avoids it.
- Lines to play
- 5
- Quiz positions
- 5
Learn the Fried Liver Attack move by move
You play White. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
f7 is defended only by the king
- Bishop on c4 and knight on g5 both hit f7. After 4...d5 5.exd5, recapturing with the knight lets White sacrifice on f7.
Qf3+ forks king and knight
- After 6...Kxf7 7.Qf3+, the king must step to e6 to keep the d5-knight, and stays in the centre for a long time.
Black’s best is 5...Na5
- Strong players avoid the Fried Liver with 5...Na5, attacking the bishop. White keeps an extra pawn but has to play precisely.
Prepare for the Traxler
- 4...Bc5 ignores the threat on f7 and counterattacks f2. The course answers with 5.Bxf7+.
The main lines
The Fried Liver: 6.Nxf7
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 7.Qf3+ Ke6 8.Nc3 Nb4 9.O-O c6
The sacrifice, then Qf3+ and Nc3 to pile on d5.
7...Ke8: the king runs back
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 7.Qf3+ Ke8 8.Bxd5 Qf6 9.Bxc6+ Qxc6
Black gives up the knight to escape. White wins material.
Main line: 5...Na5
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6
Black attacks the bishop and gives a pawn for activity.
Traxler: 4...Bc5
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bc4 Rf8
White takes on f7 with the bishop and keeps the king exposed.
4...Nxe4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Nxe4 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.d4
Black grabs the centre pawn. Bxf7+ and d4 punish it.
Find the move
5 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 5
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6
The ideaTwo pieces on f7.
Find the move for White.
Common mistakes
Slow moves after the sacrifice
Once the king is on e6, every tempo counts: Nc3, O-O and d4 open lines before Black consolidates.
Forgetting the Traxler
4...Bc5 is a real counter-gambit. Know the 5.Bxf7+ answer before you play 4.Ng5.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the Fried Liver Attack?
Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each White move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The Buccaneer 1.e4 teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.
Is the Fried Liver Attack sound?
Against 5...Nxd5 it is very dangerous, and Black needs precise defence to survive. Against 5...Na5, Black’s best, White does not get to play it.
How do you stop the Fried Liver Attack?
As Black, play 5...Na5 after 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5, or avoid 3...Nf6 and play 3...Bc5. The Traxler 4...Bc5 is a sharper option.
What is the difference between the Fried Liver and the Two Knights?
The Two Knights is 3...Nf6 against the Italian. The Fried Liver is one line of it: 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Nxf7.
Learn every line of the Fried Liver Attack
The Buccaneer 1.e4 teaches it as a repertoire: 100 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up