Evans Gambit is variation 3 of 6 in the Italian Game course, a beginner opening course for White (ECO C51). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 …. White sacrifices the b-pawn to play c3 and d4 with tempo. In this line (Kasparov-Anand, Riga 1995) Black returns to e7 and White gets a space advantage with e5 and quick kingside pressure. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – Takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share.
2. Nf3 – Develops and hits e5.
2... Nc6 – Defends e5.
3. Bc4 – Aims at f7.
3... Bc5 – The Giuoco Piano bishop.
4. b4 – The Evans Gambit: the pawn deflects the c5 bishop so that c3 and d4 come with gain of time.
4... Bxb4 – Black accepts the pawn, the most testing reply.
5. c3 – Hits the bishop and prepares d4.
5... Be7 – A safe retreat where the bishop defends the kingside and cannot be hit again.
6. d4 – Strikes the centre: White has given a pawn to build exactly this centre.
6... Na5 – Black hits the c4 bishop to remove White's most dangerous attacker.
7. Be2 – Keeps the bishop; on e2 it stays out of reach and the knight on a5 is offside.
7... exd4 – Black takes a second pawn and opens the e-file.
8. Qxd4 – Recaptures with the queen, which attacks a7 and g7 and keeps the c-pawn to control d4 and b4.
8... Nf6 – Black develops and hits e4.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM