Fried Liver Attack
The most famous knight sacrifice in chess! White offers a knight for a devastating attack against Black's exposed king. Named "Fegatello" in Italian, this tactical bomb has claimed countless victims in rapid and blitz games.
ECO Code
C57
Difficulty
Intermediate
Style
Tactical/Sacrificial
Key Players
Giulio Polerio, Gioachino Greco
Black's Critical Error
5...Nxd5?! is the mistake that allows the Fried Liver. Black should play 5...Na5! attacking the bishop and avoiding this tactical blow.
The Main Line
Black's king is driven into the center of the board where it faces a withering attack. The king must advance to e6 as other moves lose immediately.
White's Attacking Ideas
- Qf3+ and Qf7+: The queen delivers check after check, driving the king forward
- Bc4 diagonal: The bishop controls key squares around Black's king
- Development with tempo: White develops pieces while maintaining the attack
- King hunt: Force the black king further into the center with continuous checks
- Material advantage: Win back the sacrificed material with interest
Critical Continuation
The Modern Line
Most accurate for White. Forces Black's king even further up the board with a continuing attack.
Black's Best Defense
Black tries to return material and consolidate, but White maintains pressure and a better position.
Assessment
While the Fried Liver looks terrifying, modern analysis shows that with precise defense, Black can survive the attack. However, the practical difficulties are enormous, especially in faster time controls. White gets excellent practical chances even if the position might be objectively equal.
How to Avoid the Fried Liver
This is the key move! Black attacks the bishop on c4 and avoids the knight sacrifice entirely. This leads to the main line of the Two Knights Defense where Black gets good compensation for the pawn.
Other Moves to Avoid
5...Nd4? allows an even worse version of the Fried Liver.
5...b5? is met by 6.Nxf7! anyway, and the bishop can retreat to f1.
Tactical Themes
For White
- Knight sacrifice: The Nxf7 blow that starts the attack
- King exposure: Force the enemy king into the center
- Double attacks: Queen and bishop work together
- Tempo moves: Develop with check and threats
For Black (If Already in the Line)
- King activity: Surprisingly, the king can become active in some lines
- Piece coordination: Develop pieces to defend the king
- Counterplay: Look for chances to give back material and equalize
- Simplification: Trade pieces to reduce White's attacking potential
Historical Significance
The Fried Liver Attack was analyzed as early as the 16th century by Italian masters Giulio Polerio and Gioachino Greco. It represents the romantic era of chess where brilliant sacrifices were valued over material. While modern theory has somewhat tamed the attack, it remains a powerful weapon in practical play.
Similar Tactical Themes
Beware the Fried Liver!
A tactical masterpiece that every chess player should know - whether to play it or avoid it!
Back to Two Knights Defense Learn the Main Line