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The Evans Gambit starts with the moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 (see them below). By statistics, based on a 3800-game database on the Evans Gambit chess opening, Black answers: 4... Bxb4 (80%), 4... Bb6 (15%), 4... Nxb4 (2%), 4... d5 (1%); other moves - 2% (4... Be7, Bd6, b5).
Figure 1. See the Black answering statistics to the Evans Gambit:
Bxb4 (80%), Bb6 (15%), Nxb4 (2%), d5 (1%); others - 2% (Be7, Bd6, b5).
How to respond to the answering moves? What are best lines to play at the beginning of the Evans Gambit? Let's see the answers below...
Evans Gambit: Answers and How to Respond
Figure 2. The Black answer 4... Bxb4 is the most common -- 80%.
Best line: 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.0-0 Nge7 (equal, +0.05)
Note: If 7... dxc3 (instead of 7... Nge7), then play 8.Qb3 (equal, +0.34).
Note: 4... Bxb4 is the strongest Black answer to the Evans Gambit.
Figure 3. The Black answer 4... Bb6 is the 2nd common -- 15%.
Best line: 5.0-0 d6 a4 a6 7.c3 Nf6 (equal, +0.40)
Figure 4. The Evans Gambit answer 4... Nxb4 is played rarely -- 2%.
Best line: 5.c3 Nc6 6.d4 exd4 7.cxd4 Bb6 (equal, +0.15)
Figure 5. The Evans Gambit answer 4... d5 is played rarely -- 1%.
Best line: 5.exd5 Nxb4 6.0-0 Nf6 7.Nxe5 Nbxd5 (white slightly better, +0.78)
Conclusion: Evans Gambit Answers
You have studied the answering statistics and best respond lines at the beginning on the Evans Gambit. The statistics were taken from a 3800-game database on this chess opening and the best playing lines were calculated by a chess engine.
The best lines are similar or very close to the proven lines, and this will help you learn how to play the Evans Gambit correctly. Remember that the move 4... Bxb4 is the strongest Black answer to the Evans Gambit.
