← Evans Gambit

Practice: Main Line (4...Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5)

The classical defence

Black accepts the gambit and retreats the bishop to a5, keeping it on the long diagonal. White builds a strong centre and attacks. The main line of the Evans Gambit.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
4. b4 Bxb4
5. c3 Ba5
6. d4 exd4
7. O-O d6
8. cxd4 Bb6
9. d5 Na5
10. Bb2 Ne7
11. Bd3 O-O
12. Nc3 Ng6
♟

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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

  • Black's bishop retreats to a5 to maintain pressure on the c3 square
  • White castles and builds a mobile pawn centre with d4
  • Both sides must play actively - White attacks, Black tries to consolidate

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.