5...Ba5 6.d4 d6: 7.Qb3 is variation 5 of 6 in the Evans Gambit course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C52). It runs 21 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 …. Black keeps the e5 pawn with 6...d6. White hits f7 with the queen at once, opens the d-file with dxe5 and develops the queen's knight. Black must spend time guarding f7. 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... Ba5 – The main line. The bishop stays active.
6. d4 – White builds a big centre.
6... d6 – Black holds the e5 pawn and keeps the extra pawn.
7. Qb3 – The queen joins the c4 bishop against f7.
7... Qd7 – The best defence. The queen guards f7 along the seventh rank.
8. dxe5 – White opens the d-file against Black's queen.
8... Bb6 – The bishop steps back and aims at f2.
The lesson goes on for 5 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM