ECO code: C51
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Anderssen Variation
The Evans Gambit arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3, where White offers a pawn to accelerate development and open lines against Black’s position. In the Anderssen Variation, Black responds with 5...Be7, a more solid and less common retreat compared to the usual 5...Ba5 or 5...Bc5.
Characteristic of this move: The move 5...Be7 aims to avoid immediate tactical complications and prepares to castle safely. It is somewhat passive but keeps flexible defensive options for Black.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, the Evans Gambit is an aggressive, attacking opening designed to seize the initiative early by sacrificing a pawn for rapid development and pressure on Black’s center and king. Black’s 5...Be7 is a defensive, cautious response, focusing on solid development and neutralizing White’s attacking chances.
Center Control: The Evans Gambit, including this variation, involves White attacking the center indirectly by opening lines and accelerating piece activity rather than occupying the center with pawns immediately. Black aims to maintain a strong central presence while neutralizing White’s initiative.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Anderssen Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 12 - Move #8 black