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.
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Slow Variation
The Evans Gambit arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O. In this line, White sacrifices a pawn early on with 4.b4 to divert Black’s bishop and gain rapid development and central control.
Characteristic of this move: The move 6.O-O is a slow, flexible approach by White that prioritizes king safety and prepares to build a strong central presence without rushing into immediate attacks. It aims to consolidate the gambit’s initiative rather than forcing immediate complications.
Attacking or defensive: As White, this variation remains fundamentally attacking, leveraging quick development and central pressure. Black’s position is more defensive, needing to weather White’s initiative and carefully neutralize the lead in development.
Center control: Yes, this opening strongly contests the center. White uses the gambit pawn and rapid piece activity to challenge Black’s central foothold, aiming to dominate the center with pawns and pieces in the middlegame.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Slow Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 4 - Move #8 black
You can also discover how top players used Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Slow Variation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.