The Max Lange Attack is lesson 8 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 3: king hunts, an opening course suited to players rated around 1500 (club players). Two Knights Defence, Max Lange Attack, C56. A knight on f7 breaks open the black king. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 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 Max Lange Attack. Black's queen stands on f5, and the bishop went back to f8. Your knights on e4 and g5 both look at f7 and e6. About 2,047 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Nxf7! The knight takes on f7. If Kxf7, the other knight jumps to g5 with check, and the bishop on e6 is attacked.
After Kxf7 and Ng5 check, the king goes back to g8. Then g4 chases the queen from f5, and White wins back material with a strong attack. The engines prefer White.
Recap.
In the Max Lange, the pawn on f6 cracks Black's king side.
Two knights on e4 and g5 aim at f7.
Nxf7, Kxf7, Ng5 check opens the king.
Then g4 chases the queen.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Max Lange Attack, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Your knights stand on e4 and g5. One of them can take on f7.
Black keeps the bishop on b6 instead of going to f8. Take on g7 with the pawn.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Max Lange Attack, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers Bf8. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Your knights stand on e4 and g5. One of them can take on f7. That is the Max Lange strike. The sacrifice drags the king out and opens e6 and f7.
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