← Evans Gambit

Practice: Evans Gambit Declined (4...Bb6)

Black avoids the gambit

Black declines the gambit by retreating the bishop to b6. White still gets a slight space advantage and can expand on the queenside, but Black avoids the sharp tactics of the accepted lines.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. b4 Bb6
5. a4 a6
6. Bd5 Nf6
7. Bxc6 dxc6
8. O-O Bg4
9. h3 Bh5
10. g4 Bg6
11. Nxe5 Nxe4
12. Qf3 Qd4
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • White sacrifices a pawn on b4 to gain time for d4 and rapid development. The initiative often lasts well into the middlegame.
  • The bishops on c4 and the b2-bishop after c3-Bb2 target Black's weakened kingside.
  • Black has several defences, but all require precise play to weather White's initial attack.

Common mistakes & traps

  • A famous trap: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d6 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.d5 Na5 10.Bg5! with a winning attack.
  • If Black tries to hold the gambit pawn with ...Ba5 and ...b5, White plays a4! to open lines on the queenside.

Pawn structure notes

After the gambit, White typically has pawns on e4, d4, and c3, while Black has pawns on d6, e5, and the extra b-pawn. White aims to open lines for attack; Black tries to consolidate and return the pawn for a safe position.

Tips

  • 4...Bb6 is the safest response — Black keeps the extra pawn on b7
  • White has a slight space advantage but no immediate attacking chances
  • This line is preferred by players who want to avoid the complexities of the accepted gambit

About this line

This line is rated intermediate. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.