Italian Game · C51
Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O d6 8. cxd4 Bb6 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb3 Na5 12. Bxf7+ Kf8 13. Qc2
b4 gives a wing pawn to buy the centre with c3 and d4 a tempo up - White attacks before Black's extra pawn can matter.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
- 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 187 in the Italian Game. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.