ECO C52 · Italian Game

Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Johner Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O b5

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

8. Bxb5+0.94

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Johner Defense (C52), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Bxb5 for White. White is clearly better (+0.94).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.948. Bxb5 d3 9. Qxd3 Nge7 10. Rd1 O-O 11. Nbd2 d6 12. Nc4 Bb6
  2. +0.288. Bd5 dxc3 9. Qb3 Qf6 10. e5 Qf5 11. Nxc3 Bxc3 12. Bxc6 Ne7
  3. −0.078. Bb3 dxc3 9. Qd3 Qf6 10. Bg5 Qd6 11. Qxb5 Nge7 12. Rd1 Qb4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Johner Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Bxb5 for White, continuing d3 9. Qxd3 Nge7 10. Rd1 O-O 11. Nbd2 d6 12. Nc4 Bb6. White is clearly better (+0.94). The next best moves are 8. Bd5 (+0.28) and 8. Bb3 (−0.07).
Is the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Johner Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.94: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Johner Defense?
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+).