Italian Game: Evans Gambit
ECO C52 · Italian Game · gambit · intermediate
The Italian Game: Evans Gambit (C52) is a gambit chess opening in the Italian Game family, played by White. It arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O d6. Romantic gambit with b4. Rapid development and initiative. Recommended for intermediate players.
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O d6
About this opening
The Evans Gambit (4.b4) sacrifices a wing pawn to gain a tempo on the c5 bishop and build a strong center with c3 and d4. It is the embodiment of the romantic spirit: rapid development, open lines and a direct attack on the black king. Adopted by Morphy and Anderssen in the 19th century, it was spectacularly revived by Garry Kasparov in the 1990s against Anand.