The Fried Liver Attack, also referred to as the Fegatello Attack, is an aggressive and bold opening in the game of chess.
Characterized by its ambitious nature, it requires white to offer a knight for sacrifice in an attempt to launch a powerful offensive against the black king.
Despite its risky disposition, the opening is renowned for its surprise factor and is immensely popular amongst younger players who are drawn to its exciting, high-risk, high-reward style of play.
Below we look into this opening, diving into its move order, theoretical basis, variations, historical background, and its suitability for different levels of play.
Move Order of the Fried Liver Attack
The Fried Liver Attack commences with the following sequence of moves:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Nf6
- Ng5 d5
- exd5 Nxd5
- Nxf7
This series of moves is embedded within the Two Knights Defense – a variation of the Italian Game opening – where white opts for the offensive line 4.Ng5.
However, the black’s fifth move, 5…Nxd5, is deemed to be a risky response.
Other safer moves by Black could be 5…Na5 (the Polerio Defense), 5…b5, or 5…Nd4.
The Fried Liver Attack’s distinguishing feature is the knight sacrifice on f7 with the move 6.Nxf7.
Theory, Strategy and Purpose of the Fried Liver Attack
The Fried Liver Attack’s principal objective is to dismantle black’s defensive setup in the early stage of the game by sacrificing a knight.
After 6…Kxf7, the usual follow-up is 7.Qf3+ Ke6 8.Nc3, with Black responding by 8…Nb4 and then …c6, strengthening their pinned knight on d5.
White then tries to compel the b4-knight to abandon its protection of the d5-knight using 9.a3, a move advocated by Yakov Estrin.
However, Black can maintain a strong position after 9.a3 Nxc2+ 10.Kd1 Nd4! or 10…Nxa1!?. Therefore, 9.Qe4 or 9.O-O might be better alternatives for White.
White’s plan in the Fried Liver Attack is clear – initiate a robust assault to unsettle Black.
However, it’s not proven conclusively to be decisive.
The Fried Liver Attack indeed poses a danger to Black, particularly in games with shorter time controls, as defensive play in this variation is notably challenging.
Variations of the Fried Liver Attack
The Fried Liver Attack is itself a variation of the Two Knights Defense.
However, within the Fried Liver Attack, variations can arise depending on the responses chosen by the players.
As mentioned earlier, the variation begins to form with Black’s 5th move, with 5…Nxd5 being the riskiest response leading to the Fried Liver Attack.
The Polerio Defense, characterized by the move 5…Na5, is a safer alternative.
Other choices for Black can include 5…b5 and 5…Nd4.
Evaluation of the Fried Liver Attack
The Fried Liver Attack is generally evaluated at around +0.50 to +1.00 for white.
Theory & Continuation Lines of the Fried Liver Attack
Below we have some common theory and continuation lines from the Fried Liver Attack starting move order 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7 that you would see at the highest level of play.
6… Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Bb3 c6 10. a3 Qf6 11. Qxf6+ gxf6 12. axb4 Bxb4 13. O-O a5 14. f4 b5 15. fxe5 fxe5 16. d4 Bxc3 17. bxc3 exd4 18. cxd4 a4 19. c4 bxc4 20. Bxc4 Ba6 21. Rxa4 Bb5 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Re1+ Kd7 24. Bb3 Ra1
6… Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Bb3 c6 10. a3 Qf6 11. Qxf6+ gxf6 12. axb4 Bxb4 13. O-O a5 14. f4 b5 15. d3 Bd7 16. Ne4 a4 17. Ba2 f5 18. Ng5+ Ke7 19. fxe5 Bc5+ 20. Kh1 Nb4 21. e6 Nxa2 22. Rxa2 h6 23. exd7 hxg5 24. Rxf5
6… Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Bb3 c6 10. a3 Qf6 11. Qe4 Na6 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qxd5+ Ke7 14. d4 Nc7 15. Qc4 Kd8 16. dxe5 Qxe5+ 17. Be3 Be6 18. Qd3+ Ke8 19. O-O-O Be7 20. f4 Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Rhe1 Kf8 23. Bd4 Ne8 24. Re5 Bg4
6… Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Bb3 c6 10. a3 Qf6 11. Qe4 Na6 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qxd5+ Ke7 14. d4 Nc7 15. Qa5 Kd8 16. Be3 b6 17. dxe5 Qc6 18. O-O-O+ Ke8 19. Ba4 b5 20. Bb3 Be6 21. Rd3 Bxb3 22. Rxb3 Nd5 23. Bxa7 Bc5 24. Qxb5 Qxb5 25. Rxb5 Bxa7 26. Rxd5 Bxf2
6… Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. Bb3 c6 10. a3 Qf6 11. Qe4 Na6 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qxd5+ Ke7 14. d4 Nc7 15. Qa5 Kd8 16. Be3 b6 17. dxe5 Qc6 18. O-O-O+ Ke8 19. Ba4 b5 20. Bb3 Be6 21. Rd3 Bxb3 22. Rxb3 Nd5 23. Bxa7 Bc5 24. Qxb5 Qxb5 25. Rxb5 Bxa7 26. Rxd5 Bxf2 27. Rhd1
6… Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Nb4 9. O-O c6 10. d4 Qf6 11. Qe2 Ke7 12. Ne4 Qg6 13. a3 Bf5 14. f3 Na6 15. dxe5 Nac7 16. Nd6 Kd8 17. Nxf5 Qxf5 18. f4 b5 19. Bd3 Qd7 20. Rd1 Bc5+ 21. Kh1 Kc8 22. Be4 Kb7
The Fried Liver Attack with GM Ben Finegold
History of the Fried Liver Attack
Despite its modern-sounding name, the Fried Liver Attack is not a new kid on the block.
In fact, it has a long and rich history that dates back centuries.
The earliest known instance of the Fried Liver Attack being employed in a game is attributed to Giulio Cesare Polerio, an Italian chess player, in a game that occurred before 1606.
Since then, the opening has maintained its popularity and is a recurrent feature in many exciting and unpredictable chess games.
Is the Fried Liver Attack Good for Beginners or Intermediates?
The Fried Liver Attack can be an excellent tool for beginners and intermediate players looking to adopt an aggressive playing style.
It provides the players with ample opportunities to understand the dynamics of sacrifices and bold attacking strategies.
However, it’s also important to understand the risks involved with such an aggressive opening.
Beginners should therefore ensure they’re well-acquainted with the potential challenges and pitfalls of this opening before incorporating it into their repertoire.
WIN IN 8 MOVES | The Fried Liver Attack
How Often Is the Fried Liver Attack Played at the Grandmaster Level?
Although the Fried Liver Attack is a popular opening amongst younger and amateur players, it’s not as frequently used at the grandmaster level.
Grandmaster players typically prefer openings that provide more stable and less risky positions, leaning towards a solid and resilient game setup.
However, this doesn’t imply the opening is never used at the highest level of play.
When looking for surprise value or playing against a less experienced opponent, grandmasters may opt to employ this aggressive opening.
FAQs – Fried Liver Attack
1. What is the Fried Liver Attack?
The Fried Liver Attack is a chess opening, a variation of the Two Knights Defense.
It is an aggressive line where White aims for a quick attack on Black’s king, often involving a knight sacrifice.
The opening typically begins with the following moves:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Nf6
- Ng5 d5
- exd5 Nxd5?!
- Nxf7
It’s called the Fried Liver Attack due to its aggressive nature and the fact that, like a piece of fried liver, Black’s king may feel like it’s being cooked in the middle of the board.
2. How did the Fried Liver Attack get its name?
The Fried Liver Attack got its name from the Italian term “Fegatello”, which translates to “fried liver”.
This is due to the perception that Black’s position (particularly the king) can end up as vulnerable as a piece of fried liver in the middle of the board.
3. How old is the Fried Liver Attack?
The Fried Liver Attack is quite old by the standards of chess openings.
It has been known for many centuries, with the earliest known example traced back to a game played by Giulio Cesare Polerio before 1606.
4. What happens after the knight sacrifice in the Fried Liver Attack?
After White’s knight sacrifice on f7 (6.Nxf7), the usual response for Black is 6…Kxf7.
Play generally continues with 7.Qf3+ Ke6 8.Nc3. Black can play 8…Nb4 and follow up with …c6 to support their pinned knight on d5.
5. What are some of the key strategies for White in the Fried Liver Attack?
One of White’s key strategies in the Fried Liver Attack involves applying pressure on Black’s pinned knight on d5.
This can be achieved by playing 9.a3, a move recommended by Yakov Estrin.
However, Black has good responses after this move. So, alternatives like 9.Qe4 or 9.O-O might be better options.
The main idea for White is to maintain a strong, sustained attack.
6. How does Black defend against the Fried Liver Attack?
Defending against the Fried Liver Attack can be challenging for Black.
After 6…Kxf7, a common defensive line for Black is 7…Ke6 8…Nb4 followed by …c6 to support the pinned knight.
In response to White’s potential 9.a3, Black can either play 9…Nxc2+ 10.Kd1 Nd4! or 10…Nxa1!?, leading to a complex game with dynamic counterplay.
7. Why is the Fried Liver Attack particularly dangerous in games with shorter time controls?
The Fried Liver Attack can be especially dangerous in games with shorter time controls due to its aggressive and complex nature.
The side on the attack (usually White) tends to have easier-to-find, straightforward aggressive moves, while the side on the defense (usually Black) must respond accurately to stave off threats and maintain balance.
As defense is often more difficult than attack, particularly under time pressure, the Fried Liver Attack can pose a significant challenge for Black in fast-paced games.
8. What are the common alternatives to the Fried Liver Attack for Black?
Black can avoid the Fried Liver Attack by refraining from playing 5…Nxd5.
Instead, Black has several other options at move 5, such as 5…Na5 (the Polerio Defense), 5…b5, and 5…Nd4.
Bobby Fischer felt that 6.d4! (the Lolli Attack) was extremely strong, so much so that 5…Nxd5 is rarely played at the highest level.
9. Why is the Fried Liver Attack popular among younger players?
The Fried Liver Attack is popular among younger players due to its aggressive, attacking style.
The prospect of creating a strong, early attack on the opponent’s king is exciting and can lead to dynamic, complex positions.
Moreover, the distinctive and catchy name of this opening also appeals to many young players.
10. How is the Fried Liver Attack classified in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings?
In the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO), the Fried Liver Attack is classified under the code C57.
The ECO system assigns codes to each opening and its significant variations, providing a useful way to study and discuss various chess openings.
Conclusion
In the vast world of chess, the Fried Liver Attack stands out as an exciting and daring opening.
It offers a gateway into a world of intense offensive play, forcing both players into a tactical battle right from the beginning.
