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Traxler Gambit

Traxler Gambit

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I love it! Check this out!

Just out of curiosities sake... is it in theory a good idea in CC?

Game 3443294

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I dont think it is that sound... He should not of taken the bishop, and just went Kf1. I guess its the same as any gambit. Good for surprises. However, in a long serious game I wouldnt bet on it. It could probally win you a few 3minute or 5minute games.

Just my opinion.

1 edit
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I've decided to try the Traxler against the Fried Liver Attack.
After
1.e4...e5
2.Nf3...Nc6
3.Bc4...Nf6
4.Ng5...Bc5
5.Nxf7...Bxf2+
6.Kf1...Qf7
7.Nxh8



Black can play 7...Bb6 the idea being ...Qc5, ...d6, ...Ng4 etc

White must be very careful - there are lots of threats here, but it certainly isn't for everyone. As black you must be prepared to write-off Rh8 & really forget about taking-back the knight too soon & just go for the kill.

Wonderfully unsound, fun stuff - I've been on the receiving end as white & it's very uncomfortable to be counter attacked whilst playing one of the most attacking openings...
Better suited to OTB play as a DB probably busts the attack wide open but what the hell!

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When I first started playing the Traxler, about twenty years, I was amazed to discover than almost all the theory had been developed in correspondence games. Until then I'd assumed that gambits wouldn't be very common in correspondence chess because the defender would have ample time to work out a good defense, but it turns out that sacrificing material for sustained pressure is quite common

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The only thing I don't like about the traxler is the fact that if white wants to draw he can force black to accept it by going for the 5Nxf7 this move I believe gives up all whites chances to a win with accurate play from black however if he knows the theory he can get a short draw quite easily.

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Originally posted by ih8sens
I love it! Check this out!

Just out of curiosities sake... is it in theory a good idea in CC?

Game 3443294
That does indeed look pretty spectacular, but white played into the whole thing.

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I really like that kind of game

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In early booklets about the Traxler Gambit, games played between a couple of American amateurs called Wilkes and Barre were often given. It turned out that these were actually games analysed by the Wilkes-Barre Chess Club! (Wilkes-Barre is a town in Pennsylvania).

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Game 2356516
My only game here with the traxler as black, I only had to think for 3 moves because the rest was book but I think it's quite nice.

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Originally posted by Squelchbelch
I've decided to try the Traxler against the Fried Liver Attack.
After
1.e4...e5
2.Nf3...Nc6
3.Bc4...Nf6
4.Ng5...Bc5
5.Nxf7...Bxf2+
6.Kf1...Qf7
7.Nxh8
[fen]r1b1k2N/ppppq1pp/2n2n2/4p3/2B1P3/8/PPPP1bPP/RNBQ1K1R b q - 0 7[/fen]

Black can play 7...Bb6 the idea being ...Qc5, ...d6, ...Ng4 etc

White must be very careful - there are lots of thre ...[text shortened]... ..
Better suited to OTB play as a DB probably busts the attack wide open but what the hell!
How about 7 d3?

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Originally posted by Ramned
How about 7 d3?
Black has excellent attacking chances after 7. d3 Rf8

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Originally posted by Fat Lady
Black has excellent attacking chances after 7. d3 Rf8


The knight on f7 would probaby stop the rook for enough time for white to get the bishop and establish defense. Or rather simply establish defense.

1 edit
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What if 5. Bxf7+ ?

Here is an article that evaluates 5. d4, which the author says is "a move often ignored, but at least as good as 5.Bxf7. Both moves yield White an extra pawn and leave Black's king stranded in the centre (e7), but 5.d4 also results in an open d-file." The analysis is worth checking as the author concludes the line by stating that "white has a solid extra pawn."

http://www.newinchess.com/Yearbook/pdf/YB63_146.pdf

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traxler refutation:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5

🙂

seriously, crazy/amazing line, but idk if its worth playing 1...e5 just for the occasional fun lol

but i'll try it sometime

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Originally posted by yofidawg
traxler refutation:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5

🙂

seriously, crazy/amazing line, but idk if its worth playing 1...e5 just for the occasional fun lol

but i'll try it sometime
fine line between refutatioon and avoidance no?