Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Anderssen Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Be7

ECO C51

The Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Anderssen Variation is a chess opening line in the Italian Game complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Be7.

It is catalogued under code C51 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Be7 is chosen by Black on move 5.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Cordel Line.

The Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Anderssen Variation is a line of the Italian Game. The Italian Game is a chess opening that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. Read the complete Italian Game guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

Named variations

• Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Anderssen Variation, Cordel Line — ECO C51

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Evans Gambit course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.