Evans Gambit: Anderssen, 6.d4

Definition

The Evans Gambit: Anderssen, 6.d4 is a classic attacking line in the Italian Game (ECO C52) arising after the moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4. White sacrifices the b-pawn to gain time and then strikes in the center with 6. d4, a powerful central break closely associated with the swashbuckling style of Adolf Anderssen. This 6. d4 thrust is the critical tabiya of the Evans Gambit and is often referred to as the Anderssen Variation because Anderssen championed it in the Romantic era.

How it is used in chess

White uses 6. d4 to open lines, seize the initiative, and exploit rapid development against Black’s temporarily awkward queenside pieces (the bishop on a5 and the king’s position still in the center). The gambit aims for quick piece activity, tactical chances, and a direct attack on f7 and along open files and diagonals. Black can accept the central tension with 6...exd4 or return material and consolidate with 6...d6 (leading to the solid Lasker Defense setup).

Typical move order and branches

Starting position:

Main acceptance: 6... exd4
- Then 7. O-O with ideas of cxd4, Qb3, Ba3, Re1, and e5, targeting f7 and the e-file.
- Common Black setups: ...Nge7, ...Nf6, ...d6 or ...d5 to blunt White’s center.
Solid consolidation (often called the Anderssen/Lasker route): 6... d6
- White can continue 7. O-O Bb6 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8, when Black returns the pawn and heads for a sturdy endgame with the king centralized.
Flexible development: 6... Nf6 or 6... d5!? challenging the center immediately.

Strategy and ideas

White’s themes:
- Lead in development: rapid O-O, Re1, e5, Qb3, and Ba3 to increase pressure on f7 and the e-file.
- Open lines: the d4 break is designed to open c- and d-files as well as the a2–g8 and a4–e8 diagonals.
- Typical piece placement: knights on c3 and f3, bishops on c4 and a3 (or b5), queen to b3, rooks to e1 and d1.
- Tactical motifs: sacrifices on f7 or e5, discovered attacks on the e-file, and exploiting LPDO (Loose Pieces Drop Off) on a5/b4.
Black’s counterplay:
- Return material with ...d6 to complete development safely (Lasker-style defense).
- Timely ...d5! to challenge the center, trading off White’s space advantage.
- Accurate development (...Nf6, ...Nge7, ...Bb6, ...0-0) and avoiding early piece traps.

Illustrative lines

The solid Lasker-style consolidation after 6... d6:

A dynamic main-line branch after 6... exd4:

Examples and famous games

Adolf Anderssen used 6. d4 with great success during the Romantic era, showcasing direct attacks and bold sacrifices typical of the Evans Gambit spirit.
Garry Kasparov revived the Evans Gambit in elite rapid play: Kasparov vs. Anand, 1995 (rapid). He employed 6. d4 to generate immediate pressure and demonstrated modern, engine-proofed attacking ideas built on fast development and central control.
The gambit also appears in master practice as a surprise weapon in blitz and rapid, where initiative and practical chances are paramount.

Sample attacking pattern with the classic Evans ideas:

Traps, pitfalls, and tactical motifs

The premature ...dxc3?! after 6...exd4 7. O-O can run into Qb3 with multi-threats on f7 and b7.
Loose pieces on a5/b4 are frequent tactical targets; beware of themes like Ba3, Qb3, and discovered attacks on the e-file—LPDO in action.
If Black delays development, White’s e5 push combined with Re1 can produce crushing threats against the uncastled king.
Conversely, careless overextension by White can meet ...d5! or accurate piece trades, after which Black is simply a healthy pawn up.

Modern evaluation and practical advice

With best play, engines often consider the Evans Gambit: Anderssen 6. d4 to be roughly balanced to slightly better for White (+0.10 to +0.40) if Black is precise, particularly in the ...d6 Lasker setups that return the pawn and simplify. However, in practical games—especially rapid, blitz, and bullet—the gambit remains a formidable drawing weapon for White to play for more than equality, leveraging initiative, time pressure, and tactical chances.

Historical significance

Invented by Captain William Davies Evans in the 1820s, the Evans Gambit became a symbol of Romantic-era chess. Adolf Anderssen’s fearless adoption of 6. d4 inspired generations of attackers. The line experienced a renaissance when Garry Kasparov used it as a surprise weapon in the 1990s, proving that classical gambits could thrive with modern understanding.

Interesting facts

The name “Anderssen, 6.d4” highlights the central break that defines the gambit’s character and recalls Anderssen’s signature attacking approach.
Many “coffeehouse” players love the Evans because it generates immediate initiative and swashbuckling play with clear targets like f7—a hallmark of Romantic chess.
The Lasker Defense to the Evans (6...d6 followed by ...Bb6 and timely queen trades) shows how classical defensive technique can neutralize even the most dangerous gambits.

Related concepts and terms

Gambit and Sac: sacrificing material for time and initiative.
Initiative and Attack: the core goals of 6. d4.
LPDO (Loose pieces drop off): tactical theme against Black’s a5/b4 pieces.
Coffeehouse chess and Swashbuckling: stylistic labels often associated with the Evans Gambit.
Italian Game and Open game: the broader opening family.

Practical checklist

For White:
1. Castle quickly: O-O, then Re1.
2. Target f7 with Qb3/Ba3 and consider e5 at the right moment.
3. Keep up the pressure—don’t allow Black easy piece trades.
For Black:
1. Consider returning the pawn with ...d6 to complete development safely.
2. Challenge the center with ...d5 at the right time.
3. Avoid loose piece placement; watch for tactics on the e-file and diagonals.

Evans Gambit: Anderssen, 6.d4