Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Compromised Defense
Italian Game: Evans Gambit
Definition
The Evans Gambit is an ambitious branch of the Italian Game that arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 !? White sacrifices (or “gambits”) the b-pawn to accelerate development, seize the centre, and launch an attack against the f7-square, the weakest point in Black’s camp during the opening.
Typical Move Order
The most common continuation is the Evans Gambit Accepted:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Bc5
- b4 Bxb4
- c3 Ba5
- d4 exd4
- 0-0 … and the battle begins
Strategic Ideas
- Rapid Development – By deflecting the bishop with 4…Bxb4 and gaining time with c3 and d4, White opens lines and mobilises quickly.
- Central Control – The pawn thrusts c3 and d4 establish a strong pawn wedge that cramps Black’s pieces.
- King-side Pressure – Many lines feature a rook on e1, a bishop on c4, and a queen on b3 or a4 all converging on f7.
- Material Imbalance – White is usually a pawn down but enjoys a big lead in development and attacking chances. If Black survives the middlegame he can hope for a favourable end-game.
Main Defensive Systems for Black
- 5…Bc5 (Evans Declined) – Black declines the pawn and keeps the bishop active.
- 5…Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.0-0 Nge7 (Main Line)
- 5…Ba5 6.d4 d6 (Compromised Defense) – see the next entry.
- 5…Be7 (Stone–Ware Defense) – The bishop retreats more modestly.
- 5…Bf8 (Anderssen Defense) – Extremely solid but rather passive.
Historical Significance
Invented by the Welsh sea-captain William Davies Evans in 1827, the gambit became the darling of the Romantic era. Masters such as Adolf Anderssen and Paul Morphy used it to dazzling effect, making it synonymous with sacrificial brilliance. The opening lost popularity when Wilhelm Steinitz and later Emanuel Lasker found defensive resources, but it never vanished completely. Modern top-level players—including Garry Kasparov, Veselin Topalov, Hikaru Nakamura, and Magnus Carlsen—occasionally resurrect it, especially in rapid and blitz formats where surprise value is high.
Illustrative Game
Adolf Anderssen – Jean Dufresne, Berlin 1852, the famed “Evergreen Game”:
The final queen sacrifice leading to mate still delights students today and showcases the attacking potential White obtains for the pawn.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Captain Evans reportedly invented the gambit while observing how moving the pawn to b4 forced a bishop off the critical a7-g1 diagonal in casual games aboard his ship.
- In the 1990s Kasparov stunned several strong grandmasters with the Evans in rapid play, proving that even engines had not fully refuted it.
- The opening’s ECO code is C51–C52; you may also see C51 for the Compromised Defense sub-variation.
Compromised Defense (in the Evans Gambit)
Definition
The Compromised Defense is a specific line employed by Black after accepting the Evans Gambit. The usual move sequence is
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bc4 Bc5
- b4 Bxb4
- c3 Ba5
- d4 d6 (instead of the sharper 6…exd4)
Black aims to return the extra pawn later, solidify the e5-point, and avoid immediate tactical skirmishes. The name “Compromised” hints that in shoring up one part of his position, Black compromises the harmony and activity of his pieces, especially the light-squared bishop and queen.
Strategic Themes
- Slow Development vs. Safety – By playing …d6 early, Black blocks the c7-bishop and delays castling, but hopes the position will remain closed long enough to reorganise.
- Pawn Structure – The move …d6 prepares …Nf6 and sometimes …Bg4, but it can also leave Black with a passive, Philidor-like structure.
- White’s Initiative – White usually continues 7.Qb3 or 7.0-0, targeting f7 and b7, followed by cxd4, Re1, and e5 to rip open lines.
Critical Continuation
A frequently cited line runs:
7.Qb3 Qd7 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.0-0 Nf6 10.Ba3 Bb6 11.Rd1 Na5 12.Rxd7 Nxb3 13.Re7+ Kd8 14.axb3
White has regained the pawn, shattered Black’s queenside, and retained the initiative.
Historical & Modern Evaluation
In the 19th century the Compromised Defense was considered nearly unplayable because of the relentless attacks seen in games by Anderssen and Steinitz. Modern engines rate it as survivable with precise defence, but still grant White a comfortable edge (≈ +0.70).
Illustrative Miniature
Hannes Lang – Adolf Anderssen, Breslau 1863 (shortened):
The final mate on e6 is a textbook demonstration of Black’s lack of space and piece coordination.
Interesting Tidbits
- The term “Compromised” first appeared in 1894 annotations by Emanuel Lasker, who wrote that Black’s defensive set-up “already bears the stamp of compromise.”
- Although considered dubious, the line occasionally surfaces as a surprise weapon; Nigel Short employed it in a blitz game versus Kasparov (Linares 1992) and managed to draw.
- ECO designation: C51.
When to Use It
Choose the Compromised Defense if you
- prefer a solid, pawn-chain structure over the tactical slug-fest of the main line,
- are confident navigating slightly cramped positions, and
- believe your opponent is unfamiliar with the specific manoeuvres required to refute it.