Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O d6 7. d4 Bg4
8. Bb5−0.23
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation (C52), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O d6 7. d4 Bg4, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Bb5 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.23).
Top engine moves
- −0.238. Bb5 exd4 9. cxd4 Ne7 10. d5 a6 11. Be2 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Ne5
- −0.448. Qa4 Bxf3 9. gxf3 exd4 10. Bb5 Bb6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. Qxc6+ Kf8
- −0.468. Qb3 Bxf3 9. Bxf7+ Kf8 10. gxf3 exd4 11. Bd5 Bb6 12. Kh1 Qh4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O d6 7. d4 Bg4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Bb5 for White, continuing exd4 9. cxd4 Ne7 10. d5 a6 11. Be2 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Ne5. The position is roughly equal (−0.23). The next best moves are 8. Qa4 (−0.44) and 8. Qb3 (−0.46).
Is the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.23: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation?
C52. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).