Fried Liver Attack
Overview
The Fried Liver Attack is a chess opening in which the following moves are played:
The idea behind the Fried Liver Attack is: White sacrifices a piece for a pawn, in order to misplace Black’s King.
White will usually gain the material back with an advantage.
Please note that the Fried Liver Attack only possible when Black takes the pawn on d5 with the Knight.
The Fried Liver Attack can be divided into three major variations (since there are three possible moves in this position: two to defend the Knight, and one other option)
The three major variations are:
- Fried Liver Attack: Nd4 Variation
- Fried Liver Attack: Ne7 Variation
- Fried Liver Attack: Nb4 Variation
In the Fried Liver Attack: Nd4 Variation, Black tries to counter-attack by placing the Knight on a central square, targeting both the Queen and the c2 pawn.
If Black had the chance to take the pawn on c2, he would be double-attacking the King and Rook on a1 at the same time.
With perfect play, White would have an advantage in this position. In practice, however, it is really hard for White to actually do this.
In the Fried Liver Attack: Ne7 Variation, Black tries to defend the Knight with a sensible move.
This variation is not as active as the main line (Nb4) but Black protects his material advantage and it is up to White to prove that he has something in this position.
In the Fried Liver Attack: Nb4 variation, Black plays the best move, which simultaneously attacks and defends.
This move is Nb4. It targets the pawn on c2 and threatens to win the Rook on a1, but it also protects the Knight on d5 and secures Black’s material advantage.
What is the Fried Liver Attack?
The Fried Liver Attack is a chess opening that leads to open games.
White sacrifices a piece with very interesting and sharp play.
You can see what it looks like below.
How to reach the Fried Liver Attack
- First, White must move the King’s pawn two squares (1.e4).
- Then, Black’s reply should be to move his King’s pawn two squares as well (1...e5).
- In return, White develops his Knight (2.Nf3). This move attacks Black’s pawn on e5.
- Black develops his own Knight and defends the pawn on e5 (2...Nc6).
- White brings out the Bishop to an active square (3.Bc4).
- Black develops his other Knight (3...Nf6).
- In turn, White attacks the pawn on f7 by bringing his Knight forward (4.Ng5).
- Black has to defend against the threat of Nxf7, so he moves his Queen’s pawn two squares (4...d5).
- White takes this central pawn (5.exd5).
- Black takes the pawn back with the Knight (5...Nxd5).
- The Fried Liver Attack starts here, with White sacrificing a piece (6.Nxf7).
Take a look at the moves below.
Why Play The Fried Liver Attack
The Fried Liver Attack is a sharp opening, that is played by beginners and Grandmasters.
By sacrificing a piece in the opening, White severely misplaces Black’s King and can build an enormous attack.
This opening is perfect for attacking players and it can surely catch many unprepared opponents who don’t know how to defend against all the threats.
Every move explained
Fried Liver Attack: Nd4 Variation
How To Reach It
The Fried Liver Attack: Nd4 Variation appears on the board after the following moves:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Nf6
- Ng5 d5
- exd5 Nxd5
- Nxf7 Kxf7
- Qf3+ Ke6
- Nc3 Nd4
You can see the moves here.
Why play the Fried Liver Attack: Nd4 Variation
The Nd4 variation is a sideline of the Fried Liver Attack.
White has to play perfectly since both the Queen and the pawn on c2 are under attack. Even though White has a lot of attacking lines, he is still a piece down.
White's Moves
Take the Knight on d5
Nd4 is a tricky move that introduces many threats in the position.
However, there is no reason for White not to take the Knight on d5 with check.
He regains the piece and will be a pawn up, with a dynamic advantage since Black’s King is still exposed.
Play Qd3 to protect the pawn on c2
A good idea for White is to put the Queen on d3.
This removes the Queen from the threat of the Knight on d4 and protects the c2 pawn.
Black's moves
Secure the Knight with c6
If White does not take the Knight on d5, Black should just protect the Knight with his pawn.
Take the pawn on c2 with check
Even if White takes the Knight on d5 with the bishop, Black still has tricks to win the Rook on a1.
Fried Liver Attack Accepted: Ne7 Variation
How To Reach It
The Fried Liver Attack: Ne7 variation appears on the board after the following moves.
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Nf6
- Ng5 d5
- exd5 Nxd5
- Nxf7 Kxf7
- Qf3+ Ke6
- Nc3 Ne7
You can see the moves here.
Why play the Fried Liver Attack: Ne7 Variation
Blacks idea: defend the Knight on d5 with his other Knight.
This knight going to e7 is good since it cannot be attacked by White (and brings the Knight closer to the King, which helps with protecting the King)
White's Moves
Expand in the center with d4
One of White’s main ideas in the Fried Liver Attack is to open up the center lines (with his d-pawn).
Blacks King is stuck in the center, and White has to open up files in order to attack it.
Play Ne4 followed by Ng5+
White is looking for ways to target Black’s King, and a straightforward one is to place the Knight on e4, from where it will be able to jump to g5 with check, creating dangerous checkmate threats.
Black's moves
Protect the Knight with c6
Black should want to keep his Knight on the d5 square.
Since the Knight has moved away from c6, Black can put his pawn on c6 in order to hold his Knight on the d5 square.
Play h6 to prevent Ng5
If White puts his Knight on e4 (with the idea of getting to g5), Blacks best idea is to prevent that from happening by putting his h-pawn on the h6 square.
Fried Liver Attack: Nb4 Variation
How To Reach It
The Fried Liver Attack: Nb4 Variation appears on the board after the following moves:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Nf6
- Ng5 d5
- exd5 Nxd5
- Nxf7 Kxf7
- Qf3+ Ke6
- Nc3 Nb4
You can see the moves here.
Why play the Fried Liver Attack: Nb4 Variation
The idea behind the move Nb4:
- It protect the Knight on d5;
- It frees the square c6 for a pawn to protect the Knight;
- It threatens Nxc2+.
This is a multi-purpose move and is Black’s best counter to the Fried Liver Attack.
White's Moves
Play Qe4 to secure the c2 pawn
In this variation, White has to be very careful about the pawn on c2.
A solid approach is to play Qe4, keeping all the threats around Black’s King and Knight on d5 but also protecting the pawn.
Play Bb3 to secure the c2 pawn
Another way of protecting the pawn on c2 is by retreating the Bishop to b3.
The Bishop will be in a safe square, still keeping an eye on the Knight on d5, while also protecting the pawn on c2.
Castle and then play d4
White can also counter by being aggressive here (since he already sacrificed a piece and Black’s King is very vulnerable)
Getting the pawn to d4 is a great, but White must set up this move by castling (since Black can take on c2 with check and win the Rook on a1)
Black's moves
Play c6 to secure the Knight on d5
The main idea behind moving the Knight from c6 is to free this square for the pawn.
By putting the pawn to c6, Black can hold the Knight on the d5 square.
Take the pawn on c2
In many lines, if White does not defend correctly, Black just takes the pawn on c2 and forks the King.
Play Bc5 followed by Rf8
A good way for Black to overcome his overexposed King and undeveloped pieces is to put his Bishop on c5.
After bringing the Bishop out, the f8 square will be free for the Rook.
From f8, the Rook attacks the Queen and potentially the f2 pawn.
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