Anderssen Variation: 5...Be7 is variation 4 of 6 in the Evans Gambit course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C51). It runs 18 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 …. Black drops the bishop to e7, a safe square. White builds the centre with d4 and keeps the light-squared bishop with Bd3 when the knight chases it. Then White castles and develops calmly. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks e5.
2... Nc6 – Black defends e5.
3. Bc4 – The bishop aims at f7.
3... Bc5 – The Giuoco Piano.
4. b4 – The Evans Gambit. White offers a pawn.
4... Bxb4 – Black takes the pawn.
5. c3 – White hits the bishop and prepares d4.
5... Be7 – The Anderssen Variation. The bishop drops back to a safe square.
6. d4 – White takes the centre with tempo on e5.
6... exd4 – Black takes the pawn. This is the most common answer.
7. cxd4 – White takes back and builds a big centre.
7... Na5 – The knight chases the c4 bishop.
8. Bd3 – The bishop stays on the board and aims at Black's kingside.
8... d6 – Black opens the c8 bishop and holds the e5 square.
The lesson goes on for 2 more moves, each with its explanation.
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