Fried Liver Attack
Club · set by White
The Fried Liver Attack arises in the Two Knights Defense when Black recaptures on d5 with the knight. White sacrifices a knight on f7, drags the black king into the centre and attacks it with queen and pieces.
It is one of the most searched attacks in chess, and the most searched question about it is how to counter it. The answer is to avoid it altogether with 5…Na5.
How the trap works
- ▸After 5…Nxd5 the knight on d5 is defended only by the queen.
- ▸Nxf7 drags the king out; Qf3+ forces it to e6 to keep d5 protected.
- ▸White then attacks d5 with Nc3, d4 and Re1 while Black’s king stands in the open.
How to stop it
Play 5…Na5 instead of 5…Nxd5. Black hits the bishop, follows with …c6 and …h6, and gets active play for the pawn. This is the main line of the Two Knights.
If you want to avoid 4.Ng5 entirely, answer 3.Bc4 with 3…Bc5 (Giuoco Piano) instead of 3…Nf6.
This trap comes from the Italian Game. Study its main line and the best answers to it.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you counter the Fried Liver Attack?
- Play 5…Na5 after 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5. Recapturing with 5…Nxd5 is what allows the Fried Liver.
- Is the Fried Liver Attack sound?
- Against 5…Nxd5 it gives White a strong, practical attack. Against 5…Na5 it never happens.
- Why is it called the Fried Liver?
- The name comes from the Italian “fegato fritto”, a nod to how dead Black’s king looks after the sacrifice.
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