Greetings players and fellow patzers 🙂
For those who have never played this opening before,
I'll give you fair warning that it's not for the faint-hearted!
It is, however, a lot of fun and very rewarding should it pay off.
The Traxler Gambit follows the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5
Here, with White to move, which do you prefer?
5.Nxf7
5.Bxf7+
5.(Other)
In the following game, Nxf7 was played.
This decision gave the initiative away, consequently leading to a prolonged attack against White's King.
From that moment on, many of the moves are actually rather forced and have been seen before,
see annotations for more information.
I cite the following link as a source of inspiration for the making of this game:
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1008357
This is a useful list of games to play through and realise this gambit's attacking potential.
Let me know what you think of this opening.
Have you played it before?
Where are the improvements for White?
Cheers,
~64
Originally posted by @64squaresofpainMy gut reaction was to force the tissue with Bxf7+ then deal with black's threat. At the very least black loses the ability to castle and allows white to castle immediately next move.
Greetings players and fellow patzers 🙂
For those who have never played this opening before,
I'll give you fair warning that it's not for the faint-hearted!
It is, however, a lot of fun and very rewarding should it pay off.
The Traxler Gambit follows the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5
[fen]r1bqk2r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/2b1p1N1/2B1P3/8 ...[text shortened]... this opening.
Have you played it before?
Where are the improvements for White?
Cheers,
~64
Originally posted by @sonhouseBxf7 does seem better, but even then the Traxler does seem quite sound, as far as gambits are concerned.
My gut reaction was to force the tissue with Bxf7+ then deal with black's threat. At the very least black loses the ability to castle and allows white to castle immediately next move.
Wouldn't you agree that this is one of the more sound/playable gambits available?
Originally posted by @64squaresofpainDon't see why it would not be playable for white since black no longer has castling so is stuck trying to develop the kingside rook white gets to castle immediately if so desired.
Bxf7 does seem better, but even then the Traxler does seem quite sound, as far as gambits are concerned.
Wouldn't you agree that this is one of the more sound/playable gambits available?
Looks to me like an early strategic advantage. Black would be tilted on edge trying to complete development.
Originally posted by @sonhouseThat's not to say that Black wouldn't have any winning chances at all after Bxf7+.
Don't see why it would not be playable for white since black no longer has castling so is stuck trying to develop the kingside rook white gets to castle immediately if so desired.
Looks to me like an early strategic advantage. Black would be tilted on edge trying to complete development.
With the most correct play, maybe White has no problems,
I mean there must be a reason why you don't see GM's playing this too regularly...
I have, however, had a win on the Black side vs. 5.Bxf7
nearly 2 years ago here on RHP vs. an opponent whom I still have a 1-3 losing record against.
So of course I'm quite happy to show the one win 🙂
No annotations this time, though.
I believe my opponent made a mistake early on, perhaps returning the Bishop to f7 on move 9, but I haven't checked this.
The trouble with playing the Traxler is that in some faraway master tournament white will play a line that snuffs out all the counterplay and dump Black in a lost ending. Someone like Andrew Martin will come along and make a short you-tube video and that's all you see in online games for years after...
Start from about 2'00
Originally posted by @64squaresofpain
Bxf7 does seem better, but even then the Traxler does seem quite sound, as far as gambits are concerned.
Wouldn't you agree that this is one of the more sound/playable gambits available?
The Budapest is right up there or even more solid. The best and most fun games I've ever played are with the Cochran Gambit and then the Traxler. At a pub, I watched my Uncle, drinking heavily, get a draw vs. GM Boris Kogan using the Budapest.
