Don Chess

Learn the Evans Gambit

Invented by a sea captain: with b4 you give a pawn for time and a huge centre. A favourite of Morphy and Kasparov.

You play with White. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

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The main line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O

C52 · Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Pierce Defense

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

  1. 1.e4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e4.
  2. 1…e5 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e5.
  3. 2.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  4. 2…Nc6 Develops the knight to c6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  5. 3.Bc4 Develops the bishop to c4 – pieces out first, then attack.
  6. 3…Bc5 Develops the bishop to c5 – pieces out first, then attack.
  7. 4.b4 Gambit: the pawn on b4 is offered – for quick development and open lines.
  8. 4…Bxb4 Accepts the pawn offered on b4.
  9. 5.c3 Prepares the pawn move to d4.
  10. 5…Ba5 The bishop was attacked and goes to safety on a5.
  11. 6.d4 Attacks the pawn on e5 – the fight for the centre begins.
  12. 6…exd4 Takes the pawn on d4.
  13. 7.O-O Castles: the king is safe and the rook joins the game.

Idea and plans

The idea

With 4.b4 White gives a pawn to gain time and a strong centre with c3 and d4 after …Bxb4.

Plan for White

Quick d4, castle and play against f7 and Black’s king; a bishop on a3 often stops Black from castling.

Plan for Black

Take the pawn, hold the centre with …d6 and get the pieces to safety; giving the pawn back is often right.

The 4 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

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More openings