The opening is popular with younger players who like the name and the aggressive, attacking style.

The Fried Liver Attack has been known for many centuries, the earliest known example being a game played by Giulio Cesare Polerio before 1606.

[4][5] Computer chess programs, including those on large mainframes, were reportedly still vulnerable to the attack in 1980.

White can force the b4-knight to abandon protection of the d5-knight with 9.a3, a move Yakov Estrin recommended, but Black is quite strong after 9.a3 Nxc2+ 10.Kd1 Nd4!?

Because defence is harder to play than attack in this variation, the Fried Liver is dangerous for Black, particularly with shorter time controls.