ECO code: C57
Opening Name: Two Knights: Fegatello, Polerio Defence
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Ne7
Description: This opening is a highly tactical and aggressive variation of the Two Knights Defense. White sacrifices a knight early on with 6. Nxf7 to expose Black’s king and launch a fierce attack. The key characteristic of this line is the immediate pressure on Black’s vulnerable king and the attempt to exploit the weak squares around it, especially after Black’s king is forced to move to e6. The Polerio Defence (8...Ne7) is Black’s attempt to consolidate and defend the exposed king.
Characteristic: The defining feature of this line is the early knight sacrifice on f7, known as the Fegatello or Fried Liver Attack. It is a sharp, attacking continuation where White aims to capitalize on Black’s exposed king and lead the initiative.
Attacking or Defensive: As White, this opening is distinctly attacking, focusing on rapid development and king-side pressure to exploit Black’s compromised king safety. Black, on the other hand, adopts a defensive posture, trying to survive the assault and consolidate their position despite the early disruption.
Center Control: While the opening starts with standard control of the center (1.e4 e5), the subsequent tactical melee shifts the focus away from classical center control to direct attacks on the king. Thus, White’s play in this line is less about maintaining strong central pawns and more about piece activity and attacking chances against Black’s king.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Two Knights: Fegatello, Polerio Defence, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 1 - Move #20 white