Evans Gambit
ECO C51-C52intermediate
The Evans Gambit, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!?, is the Italian Game with the gloves off: White deflects the bishop, gains the tempo for c3 and d4, and builds the broad center plus open lines the Romantics dreamed of — for one pawn. Anderssen and Morphy made it immortal, Kasparov revived it against Anand, and it remains one of the most dangerous practical weapons in 1.e4 e5: Black's defenses are adequate but narrow, and every natural-looking alternative loses brilliantly.
Main line
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.Bb3 Ba7
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.
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.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 29 | 41.4% | 17.2% | 41.4% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O |
| 600-800 | 210 | 43.3% | 6.2% | 50.5% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 |
| 800-1000 | 204 | 42.2% | 3.9% | 53.9% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 |
| 1000-1200 | 86 | 58.1% | 7% | 34.9% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 |
| 1200-1400 | 219 | 51.6% | 1.4% | 47% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 |
Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6:
- a4 — played 14.2% of the time (White wins 45.2%, draws 3.2%, Black wins 51.6%)
- h3 — played 14.2% of the time (White wins 38.7%, draws 0%, Black wins 61.3%)
- b4 — played 14.2% of the time (White wins 35.5%, draws 0%, Black wins 64.5%)
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
Is the Evans Gambit sound by modern standards?
It is in excellent theoretical health: Black's best defenses (5...Ba5 with the Lasker ...d6 and ...Bb6 return, or 5...Be7) hold the balance but concede White full practical compensation — initiative, center, and development. There is no line where White stands worse, which for a gambit is the definition of soundness.
Should Black accept or decline the Evans?
Accepting with 4...Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 is critical and best — the Lasker plan of returning the pawn with ...d6 and ...Bb6 defuses the worst of the attack. Declining with 4...Bb6 (5.a4 a6) is solid and avoids the sharpest theory, at the cost of letting White claim queenside space for free.
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