Knight attacks and the Fried Liver is lesson 2 of 2 in Scholar's mate and quick traps, a tactics course suited to players rated around 680 (beginners). White's knight likes to jump to g5 and hit f7 with the bishop. Learn the calm answer, the trap that follows a natural mistake, and a trap Black sets for greedy players. 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. White's knight jumped to g5. Now the knight and the bishop both attack f7, and only your king defends it. If you do nothing, Nxf7 forks your queen and your rook.
This is what happens after Nxd5. White gave up a knight on f7, the king had to take, and after Qf3 check it walked to e6. Now the black king stands in the middle of the board. White brings every piece with tempo, and Black must defend for many moves. That is why Na5 is the safer choice.
Recap.
Keep the f-pawn and the g-pawn at home early, or the king's diagonal opens.
Guard f7 and f2, the weakest squares at the start.
An early queen is a target: develop pieces with attacks on her.
Against Ng5, play d5, and after exd5 play Na5, not Nxd5.
A free pawn next to a strange knight move is often bait.
What you practise
Defend in the calm, classic way. Block the bishop's line to f7 with a pawn in the centre.
White took on d5. Taking back with the knight looks natural, but it lets White attack f7 again. Hit the bishop on c4 with your other knight instead.
Now you play White. Black jumped to d4 and left the e5 pawn without a guard. It is bait. Do not take it. Trade off the knight on d4, or simply develop.
Suppose you took the pawn, and Black's queen came to g5. Your knight on e5 can take f7 and attack the queen and the rook. That fork is the trap. Find a safe move instead.
Worked examples
Defend in the calm, classic way. Block the bishop's line to f7 with a pawn in the centre. Right. d5 blocks the bishop and fights for the centre. This is the main line.
White took on d5. Taking back with the knight looks natural, but it lets White attack f7 again. Hit the bishop on c4 with your other knight instead. Good. Na5 chases the bishop away from f7. You are a pawn down for now, but your pieces come out fast and White's knight on g5 is out of play.
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