Evans Gambit, Waller Attack
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bc4Bc5
- 4.b4Bxb4
- 5.c3Ba5
- 6.d4exd4
- 7.O-Od6
- 8.Qb3
380 games
Evans Gambit line where White, two pawns down, plays 8. Qb3 against f7 instead of recapturing on d4; rare, sharp and roughly balanced.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Waller Attack
The Waller Attack arises from the Pierce Defense of the Evans Gambit. After 6...exd4 7. O-O d6, White leaves the d4-pawn alone and plays 8. Qb3, aiming the queen and c4-bishop at f7 while Black is two pawns up. Most players defend with 8...Qe7, with 8...Qf6 and 8...Qd7 less frequent. The engine prefers 8...Be6 and rates the position as roughly balanced, though White scores well in practice. The line is rarely played.