A legendary sacrifice where White gives up a knight to expose Black's king. Named for its lethal, "liver-cutting" nature. One of the most feared attacks in chess.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 - See Two Knights Defense introduction.
4.Ng5 - The Knight Attack! White targets f7 with two pieces (bishop on c4 + knight on g5). This is the critical test of the Two Knights Defense.
4...d5 - The only good response. Black counter-attacks in the center, gaining a tempo on the bishop. Other moves are significantly worse.
5.exd5 - White takes the pawn. The critical position has been reached.
5...Nxd5?! - The Fried Liver move! Black takes the pawn, but this is considered slightly dubious at the highest level. The main line at master level is 5...Na5 (Polerio Defense).
However, 5...Nxd5 is extremely common at club level and online, making the Fried Liver a practical weapon.
6.Nxf7! - The Fried Liver Attack! White sacrifices the knight to rip open Black's king. The knight captures f7 with check, and after 6...Kxf7, White plays 7.Qf3+ forcing the king into the open.
7.Qf3+ Ke6 - The king is forced into the center. Only move — 7...Ke8?? 8.Bxd5+ wins the knight with check and a devastating attack.
8.Nc3 - White develops with tempo, attacking the exposed knight on d5. The most popular and aggressive continuation.
8...Nb4 - The main move. Black retreats the knight, keeping it on the board and threatening ...Nc2+.
9.O-O - Castling while the king is still in the center. The most natural and popular continuation (White: 48,067 / Draw: 2,386 / Black: 37,575 on Lichess).
White's plans after O-O: Build an overwhelming attack with d4, Re1+, and piece sacrifices. The exposed king on e6 makes Black's position incredibly difficult to defend. White has a powerful initiative and development advantage.
Black's plans: Try to survive the attack and reach an endgame where the extra knight may matter. Accurate defense is required — one mistake and the game is over. ...c6 and ...Be6 are common defensive tries.
After 6.Nxf7: White 20 / Draw 37 / Black 6 (63 games total)
The Fried Liver Attack has been analyzed for over 400 years. It first appeared in Giulio Cesare Polerio's manuscript from 1590. The name "Fried Liver" comes from the Italian "Fegatello" (liver), referring to the "liver-cutting" sacrifice on f7.
Famous games:
The Fried Liver is practically very dangerous but theoretically slightly dubious — 5...Na5 (Polerio Defense) is considered the stronger response for Black at master level. However, at club and online level, the Fried Liver remains one of White's most effective attacking weapons.
Watch the moves to understand the opening sequence. Use the controls to replay or auto-play the variation.