Lolli Attack

Main line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.d4 Nxd4 7.c3 b5

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

1. 1.e4 This move claims space in the center and opens lines for your queen and bishop. It is the most active first move for White, immediately fighting for control of the important central squares.
2. 1...e5 This move fights for central control by challenging White’s e4 pawn. It opens lines for your queen and bishop, aiding development and freeing your kingside pieces.
3. 2.Nf3 This move develops the knight toward the center, immediately challenging Black's e5 pawn. It supports White's own central pawn on e4 and prepares for kingside castling, quickly bringing the king to safety.
4. 2...Nc6 This develops a knight to its natural square and challenges White's control of the e5 pawn in the center. It also prepares for quick development by clearing the way for the bishop on c8.
5. 3.Bc4 This move develops your bishop to a strong diagonal where it attacks the vulnerable f7 square and helps control the center. It's a key step in preparing to castle kingside, getting your king to safety while keeping your pieces active.
6. 3...Nf6 Develops a piece, pressures the e4 pawn, and prevents White from playing d4 easily. This move also prepares to castle kingside quickly, bringing your king to safety.
7. 4.Ng5 This move attacks the undefended f7 pawn, a critical square near Black's king. It also prepares to develop White's queen to f3, building pressure for a quick attack.
8. 4...d5 This move challenges White's control of the center and seeks to open lines for your bishop and queen. You are fighting for space and creating immediate counterplay, forcing White to decide how to handle the pawn tension.
9. 5.exd5 This move opens the center to activate White’s well-developed pieces, especially the bishop on c4 and knight on g5. It targets the vulnerable f7 square and creates threats against Black’s king, which is still stuck in the center.
10. 5...Nxd5 This move sacrifices the knight to eliminate Black's strong central pawn on d5. It opens lines for White's bishops, accelerating development and creating threats against Black's vulnerable king in the center.
11. 6.d4 This move seizes the center by attacking Black’s knight on e5, forcing it to react. It also opens lines for your bishop and queen, increasing your piece activity and creating attacking chances.
12. 6...Nxd4 This captures Black's central knight while discovering an attack on their bishop. White gains material and creates immediate pressure, forcing Black to address both threats at once.

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.d4 Nxd4:

• c3 — played 51.6% of the time (White wins 59.2%, draws 3.2%, Black wins 37.6%)
• O-O — played 24.5% of the time (White wins 55.5%, draws 2.6%, Black wins 42%)
• Nxf7 — played 6.7% of the time (White wins 48.6%, draws 2.8%, Black wins 48.6%)

Related openings

• Italian Game
• Evans Gambit
• Fried Liver Attack & Two Knights Defense
• Hungarian Defense
• Jerome Gambit

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Lolli Attack and the Fried Liver?

They share the first five moves. The Fried Liver is 6.Nxf7, sacrificing a knight to drag the black king out. The Lolli proper is 6.d4, keeping the tension and opening lines before cashing in. The Lolli is objectively the more testing try, while the Fried Liver is the more famous because the sacrifice is so visual.

Is 5...Nxd5 actually bad for Black?

It is risky rather than losing. Theory holds that Black can survive with precise defence, but the margin is thin and the positions are hard to play over the board. This is why the main recommendation for Black is 5...Na5, giving back a pawn to break White's grip on f7 and reach a normal game — the Lolli is what happens when Black does not know that.

Should I learn the Lolli Attack as White?

It is a very practical weapon below master level, because Black must find several accurate moves in a row and most opponents have never seen the position. Learn the main branch to move ten or so and you will score heavily. Against a prepared opponent expect a sharp, roughly balanced fight rather than a free point.