Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Sokolsky Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Bg5
7… Nge7−0.70
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Sokolsky Variation (C52), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… Nge7 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.70).
Top engine moves
- −0.707… Nge7 8. O-O O-O 9. dxe5 h6 10. Bh4 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Bxe7
- −0.497… f6 8. Bd2 Nge7 9. O-O Bb6 10. a4 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Re1
- −0.427… Qd7 8. O-O h6 9. Bh4 Nge7 10. Bxe7 Nxe7 11. dxe5 O-O 12. exd6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Sokolsky Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… Nge7 for Black, continuing 8. O-O O-O 9. dxe5 h6 10. Bh4 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Bxe7. Black is slightly better (−0.70). The next best moves are 7… f6 (−0.49) and 7… Qd7 (−0.42).
Is the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Sokolsky Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.70: 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, Sokolsky 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+).