Italian Game: Evans Gambit, McDonnell Defense
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5
6. d4+0.43
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, McDonnell Defense (C51), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.43).
Top engine moves
- +0.436. d4 Bb6 7. Nxe5 Nxe5 8. dxe5 Ne7 9. a4 O-O 10. Ba3 d6
- −0.056. O-O Bb6 7. d4 d6 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Qxd8+ Nxd8 10. Nxe5 Nf6
- −0.726. a3 d6 7. d4 Bb6 8. dxe5 Qe7 9. exd6 Qxe4+ 10. Be2 Qg6
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, McDonnell Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. d4 for White, continuing Bb6 7. Nxe5 Nxe5 8. dxe5 Ne7 9. a4 O-O 10. Ba3 d6. White is slightly better (+0.43). The next best moves are 6. O-O (−0.05) and 6. a3 (−0.72).
Is the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, McDonnell Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.43: white 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, McDonnell Defense?
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+).