Compromised Defence: 7...dxc3 is variation 2 of 6 in the Evans Gambit course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C52). It runs 23 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 …. Black grabs a third pawn on c3. White hits f7 with the queen and chases Black's queen with the e-pawn. Then every white piece joins the attack. Black must defend very accurately. 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... exd4 – Black takes the pawn.
7. O-O – White castles and keeps developing.
7... dxc3 – The Compromised Defence. Black takes a third pawn but falls further behind in development.
8. Qb3 – The queen and the c4 bishop both aim at f7. Black must react at once.
8... Qf6 – The best defence. The queen guards f7.
The lesson goes on for 7 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM