Italian Game: Evans Gambit – Anderssen & Cordel Lines
Italian Game: Evans Gambit
Definition
The Evans Gambit is an aggressive branch of the Italian Game that begins with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!?. With 4.b4 White voluntarily sacrifices the b-pawn to lure Black’s c5–bishop away from the centre, hoping to follow up with c2–c3 and d2–d4 to seize a powerful pawn duo and a lead in development.
How it is Used in Play
- Development Speed: The gambit pawn is the price paid for rapid piece activity and open lines against f7.
- Central Control: After the thematic c3 and d4, White often builds a menacing centre, while Black’s bishop can find itself awkwardly placed on a5 or c5.
- Practical Weapon: Because one side is a pawn up but behind in development, both players must know forcing lines; otherwise games can finish quickly.
- Modern Status: Rare at top level as a main weapon, but a popular surprise choice in rapid, blitz and club play.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Invented by Captain William Davies Evans around 1827, the gambit became a sensation when Adolf Anderssen, Paul Morphy, and later Mikhail Chigorin adopted it in spectacular attacking victories. Although theory eventually showed ways for Black to neutralise the onslaught, the Evans remains a symbol of Romantic-era chess and is still feared for its practical sting.
Illustrative Example
Perhaps the most famous demonstration is Evans–McDonnell, London 1827, the very game that introduced the gambit to the world. The opening phase went:
White eventually prevailed after a whirlwind attack, inspiring generations of gambiteers.
Interesting Facts
- Garry Kasparov revived the gambit in a 1995 simultaneous exhibition and scored a 25-move crush, showing it can still bite.
- Top engines today evaluate the main lines around equality, but only with best play; even players can falter under pressure.
- Because the queen often lands on b3 and bishops on a3 and c4, commentators call the resulting piece constellation “the Italian battery.”
Anderssen Variation (of the Evans Gambit)
Definition
The Anderssen Variation is a forcing branch of the Evans Gambit Accepted that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O dxc3. Instead of taking time to consolidate, Black grabs a second pawn on c3, echoing the uncompromising style of Adolf Anderssen, the 19th-century attacking genius after whom the line is named.
Typical Continuation
The critical sequence continues
White regains one of the pawns and keeps the initiative, but Black aims to survive the opening up two pawns.
Strategic Ideas
- White: Fast development, open diagonals, and pressure on the f7-square. Typical piece placement involves Qb3, Bc4, Ba3, and Rfe1.
- Black: Material advantage and the pair of bishops, at the cost of lagging development and vulnerable king position.
Historical Notes
The variation was championed by Anderssen in the 1850s; he relied on his tactical prowess to navigate the complications. Modern theory finds the line risky for Black, but in practical play the extra pawn tempts many players.
Notable Game
Paul Morphy vs Adolf Anderssen, Paris 1858 reached the Anderssen Variation and ended with Morphy’s celebrated queen sacrifice on move 23. The game is a staple of every attacking-chess anthology.
Interesting Facts
- Many early annotations claimed the line refuted the Evans; later analysis showed White’s attack is sound.
- Some databases catalogue this line under ECO code
C51, sub-codeC51.4.
Cordel Line (of the Evans Gambit)
Definition
The Cordel Line (also called the Cordel Defence) appears after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O Nge7. Named for the German master Louis Cordel, the move 7…Nge7 develops while shielding f7, aiming to blunt White’s light-squared bishop and prepare d7–d5.
Plans & Ideas
- Black: Reinforces the centre with d7–d5, castles kingside, and sometimes returns the pawn later via dxc3 or Bxc3, transitioning to a solid, equal structure.
- White: Continues rapid development (8.cxd4 or 8.Qb3), targets the e- and f-files, and tries to exploit the temporary dis-coordination of Black’s pieces.
Theoretical Status
Engine analysis considers the Cordel Line one of Black’s most resilient defences against the Evans Gambit. By avoiding flashy pawn grabs and focusing on piece safety, Black often succeeds in neutralising the initiative.
Model Game
Tarrasch vs Chigorin, Leipzig 1894 is a classical example:
Black equalised comfortably and later won in the end-game, illustrating the line’s robustness.
Interesting Facts
- Louis Cordel published his analysis of the line in 1887, stating that “prudence, not greed, is the antidote to the Evans.”
- Magnus Carlsen essayed the Cordel Line in a 2017 online blitz game, holding an easy draw against a well-prepared opponent.
- The early knight redeployment also appears in the Two Knights Defence, underscoring the universality of the manoeuvre Nf6–Ng8–e7 in the Italian family.