2 knights defense

hi

I got in all sorts of trouble when, as white, I played:

1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. ed b4

I then tried 6. Bxc4 Qxd5 7. Bxc6+ Qxc6 0-0 and was quickly under major attack.  anyone know a good line against this, for white?

        thanks.

As Black, that's the sequence I like to play in the Two Knights Defense. It's called the Ulvestad variation, and I recommend you check this out on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx-J71v3JkU 

got an error message from youtube...

The url contained a malformed video id.

thanks that was very helpful!

Keniloworth Chess club have some stuff by Michael Goeller on the Ulvestad I think, usually his analysis is decent.

Sometime ago I think Chesscafe.com had some articles on the Traxler too,

Some strong correspondance chess players like Tim Harding seem to disagree with you on this one, to say a move "isn't very good" is to neglect the chance to learn something new.

4. Ng5 is very playable.  even in the game I just quoted above, I ended up winning, after black played an inaccurate move and I defended well.  I have a very good record with Ng5.  both Nc3 and d3 seem passive alterntives to me, I think the main alternative is 4. d4.  or avoid the whole thing by wading into the ruy lopez swamp...

check out my game against tylerdiablo if you want to see the whole game.

what about instead of Bxc6 you play c4?

yes I agree...ECO gives only Nc3 there but I like c4 better.  but 6. Bf1 gives white a clear advantage, IMHO.

The loss of a tempo is tactically justified, as it defends g2 after black plays Qxd5.