1.e4 — the open games
Evans Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4ECO C51–C52
A swashbuckling Italian sideline: White gives a pawn with 4.b4 to deflect the bishop, play c3 and d4, and build a raging centre with fast development. Beloved by attackers from Morphy to Kasparov.
Key ideas
- 4.b4 lures the bishop off c5 so White gains time with c3 and d4.
- The point is a big, mobile centre and open lines against Black's king before it finds safety.
- Black can accept and give the pawn back at the right moment with …d5, or decline with …Bb6.
Who it suits
Attacking players who will happily invest a pawn for the initiative and open lines.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Evans Gambit move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer