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Italian Game

Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation

C52gambittacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bc4Bc5
  4. 4.b4Bxb4
  5. 5.c3Ba5
  6. 6.O-Od6
  7. 7.d4Bg4
186 games37%60%

Evans Gambit line in which Black answers the Slow Variation with ...d6 and 7...Bg4, pinning the f3-knight while keeping the extra pawn.

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About the Alapin-Steinitz Variation

Arising from the Slow Variation, 6. O-O, after 6...d6 7. d4, the Alapin-Steinitz Variation continues 7...Bg4. The bishop pins the f3-knight and adds indirect pressure on d4 while Black holds on to the gambit pawn. White most often replies 8. Qb3, aiming at f7 and b7. The main alternatives are 8. h3 and 8. d5. Black scores well in online games, and the engine gives Black a slight edge.

Popular continuations