Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Laroche Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 Nf6
7. dxe5+1.44
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Laroche Variation (C52), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. dxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.44).
Top engine moves
- +1.447. dxe5 Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. exf6 gxf6 10. Bh4 d6 11. O-O Qe7
- +0.567. Nxe5 d5 8. Bb5 Nxe4 9. Qa4 Qf6 10. O-O Bxc3 11. Nxc3 Nxc3
- −0.027. O-O O-O 8. dxe5 Nxe4 9. Bd5 Nc5 10. Ng5 h6 11. Qh5 Nxe5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Laroche Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. dxe5 for White, continuing Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. exf6 gxf6 10. Bh4 d6 11. O-O Qe7. White is clearly better (+1.44). The next best moves are 7. Nxe5 (+0.56) and 7. O-O (−0.02).
Is the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Laroche Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.44: white is clearly 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, Laroche 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+).