How to Beat the Evans Gambit

What you're facing: White bribes the Italian bishop with a pawn to build the perfect center with tempo — Kasparov revived it; club players fear it.

The moves you'll see

Your counter-plans

• Take, retreat to a5 or e7, and give the pawn back at the right moment — surviving the initiative is winning.
• …d6 plus …Qe7 plus …Nf6 with cold blood: the gambit's sting fades by move 15 if nothing collapses.
• Never grab a second pawn — the first was rent; the second is a mortgage on your king.

What your opponent is trying to do

• After 4…Bxb4 5. c3 the bishop retreats and White plays d4 — a full center, open lines, and a lead in development for one pawn.
• Castle fast, aim Qb3 at f7, and let the a1-rook join via the open b-file.
• If Black declines, b4 gained queenside space for free — play the Italian a pawn up in ambition.

Rehearse your defense against the computer until the counter-plans are muscle memory — free, in your browser.