ECO C51 · for White
Italian Game: Evans Gambit
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
1,529,327 games in this band reached the Evans Gambit position. From there White won 52% and drew 3%.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O dxc3
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. Nf3
The most natural move, developing the Knight with tempo
2... Nc6
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and supporting the e5 pawn.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4
3. Bc4
Targeting the weak f7 square, which is only defended by the king. This move also prepares to castle kingside.
3... Bc5
Developing the bishop to a strong diagonal, aiming to control the center and prepare for kingside castling.
4. b4
Sacrificing a pawn in order to gain an attack on the black king.
4... Bxb4
Accepting the gambit and capturing white's pawn.
- 4... Bb6: Retreating the bishop and declining the gambit.
Moves 5 to 6
5. c3 Bc5 6. d4 exd4
5. c3
A multipurpose move, attacking the bishop, preparing d4, and allowing Qb3 to attack f7.
5... Bc5
Retreating the bishop while fighting for control of d4.
- 5... Ba5: Retreating the bishop while discouraging d4, because of the pin on the c3 pawn.
- 5... Be7: Retreating to the safe e7 square where the bishop is unlikely to be attacked.
6. d4
Gaining space in the center and attacking Black's bishop. White gains a tempo on the bishop and aims to attack Black's king.
6... exd4
Exchanging pawns to get rid of the threat on the e5 pawn.
Move 7
7. O-O dxc3
7. O-O
7... dxc3
Plans for White in this position
What White usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The dark-squared bishop is typically fianchettoed on b2
- The bishop on c4 generally captures the pawn on f7
- The queen on d5 usually captures the bishop on c5
- The queen on c5 often captures the pawn on c3
- The queen typically develops to d5
- The kingside rook generally develops to e1
- A common pawn move is e5
Related opening guides
- Italian Game for White
- Queen's Gambit for White
- English Opening for White
- Bishop's Opening for White
- Philidor Defense for Black
- Zukertort Opening for White