ECO C51 · Italian Game

Italian Game: Evans Gambit Declined, Lange Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bb6 5. b5 Na5 6. Nxe5 Nh6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

7. Be2−0.37

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Italian Game: Evans Gambit Declined, Lange Variation (C51), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bb6 5. b5 Na5 6. Nxe5 Nh6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Be2 for White. Black is slightly better (−0.37).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.377. Be2 Bd4 8. Nc4 Nxc4 9. c3 Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qf6+ 11. Kg1 d5
  2. −1.267. Qh5 Qf6 8. Be2 Bxf2+ 9. Kd1 d6 10. Rf1 dxe5 11. d3 O-O
  3. −1.297. Qf3 O-O 8. Qc3 Re8 9. d3 d6 10. Bxh6 Rxe5 11. Be3 Nxc4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit Declined, Lange Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bb6 5. b5 Na5 6. Nxe5 Nh6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Be2 for White, continuing Bd4 8. Nc4 Nxc4 9. c3 Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qf6+ 11. Kg1 d5. Black is slightly better (−0.37). The next best moves are 7. Qh5 (−1.26) and 7. Qf3 (−1.29).
Is the Italian Game: Evans Gambit Declined, Lange Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.37: black is slightly better. 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 Declined, Lange Variation?
C51. 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+).