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1.Opening

Two Knights Defense

You play BlackC59CounterattackIntermediate

The active answer to the Italian. Learn the correct 5...Na5! to avoid the Fried Liver.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 …

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5...Na5 Main Line: position after 10 moves1h2g3f4e5d6c7b8a
5...Na5 Main Line: position after 10 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. ...Nf6 counterattacks e4 instead of copying with ...Bc5.
  2. After Ng5 and exd5, play ...Na5! — not ...Nxd5?
  3. Black gives a pawn for rapid development and a strong ...e4.
3.Main line

Main line · 20 moves

5...Na5 Main Line

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
e4White grabs the center.
e5Black mirrors.
2
Nf3White attacks e5.
Nc6Defends e5.
3
Bc4The Italian bishop aims at f7.
Nf6The Two Knights: counterattack e4.
After 3…Nf6
After 3…Nf6
No. White Black4
Ng5White attacks f7 twice.
d5Blocks the bishop's line to f7.
5
exd5White takes.
Na5Correct! Attack the bishop instead of recapturing — this avoids the Fried Liver.
6
Bb5+White keeps the extra pawn with check.
c6Blocks the check and attacks the bishop.
After 6…c6
After 6…c6
No. White Black7
dxc6White takes.
bxc6Black recaptures. A pawn down, but with quick development and open lines.
8
Be2The bishop retreats.
h6Kicks the g5 knight.
9
Nf3The knight retreats.
e4Kicks the knight again, gaining space and time.
After 9…e4
After 9…e4
No. White Black10
Ne5The knight finds a central post.
Bd6Develops and challenges the e5 knight. Black has lots of activity for the pawn.
After 10…Bd6
After 10…Bd6
4.Play

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5.More

Articles about the Two Knights Defense

More defenses against 1.e4