The Fried Liver Attack is lesson 1 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 1: classic traps, an opening course suited to players rated around 900 (beginners). Two Knights Defence, C57. White gives a knight on f7 and pulls the black king into the centre. It has 4 interactive exercises: 4 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Two Knights Defence. Black took back on d5 with the knight. It looks natural, but now only the king guards f7. Your knight on g5 already hits f7. About 9.5 million rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Nxf7! The knight takes the pawn and forks the queen and the rook. If Black takes it, the king has to step out to f7.
After Kxf7, Qf3 check hits the king and the knight on d5. The king goes to e6 to keep the knight. Then Nc3 adds a third attacker on d5. The black king is stuck in the middle, and the engines prefer White.
Recap.
After Ng5, Nxd5 lets White sacrifice on f7.
Nxf7, Kxf7, Qf3 check pulls the king to e6.
Nc3 then piles up on the pinned knight on d5.
Black's safe answer to exd5 is Na5.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Two Knights Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Only the king guards f7. Give your knight there, then check with the queen.
Strong players answer exd5 with Na5, not Nxd5. The knight attacks your bishop. Save it with a check.
After Qf3 check, the black king runs back to g8. Now only the knight on d5 stands between your bishop and the king. Take it with check.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Two Knights Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers Nxd5. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Only the king guards f7. Give your knight there, then check with the queen. That is the Fried Liver. You gave a knight for a pawn, but the black king is in the open, and the knight on d5 is pinned.
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