The Two Knights arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 (ECO C55). Instead of the quiet 3...Bc5, Black counter-attacks the e4 pawn with the knight at once, provoking sharp play.
The opening leads to a tactical fight: after 4.Ng5 White attacks f7, and Black goes in for sacrifices (in the Fried Liver Attack, for instance) in return for the initiative. There are quieter paths with 4.d3 as well.
The Two Knights is the combative choice for Black in the Italian: instead of slow manoeuvring, lively, tactics-rich play appears straight away.
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It is the mating side to move. Find mate in one.
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