Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
23,316 games: White 42.1% / Draw 3.5% / Black 54.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 9,0059,005 | ||
| 3,9533,953 | ||
| 3,3523,352 | ||
| 2,3242,324 | ||
| 1,8161,816 | ||
| 594594 | ||
| 575575 | ||
| 352352 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.29 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. Bb5 exd4 9. cxd4 Ne7 10. d5 a6 11. Be2 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Ne5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation (ECO C52, Open Games) is a gambit in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O d6 7. d4 Bg4 (7 moves).
In 23,316 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.1%, Black 54.4% and 3.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Qb3, in 39% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation
The most played answer, 8. Qb3, also scores best for White: 47.0%, with White winning 45.1% and Black 51.2% of 9,005 games. Of the main answers, 8. Bxf7+ scores lowest: 37.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 8. Bb5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Alapin-Steinitz Variation (C52)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-evans-gambit-alapin-steinitz-variation