Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Bronstein Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
147,231 games: White 47.0% / Draw 4.2% / Black 48.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Tartakower Attack | 58,73459K | |
| 52,37952K | ||
| 23,00123K | ||
| 7,4367,436 | ||
| 1,5461,546 | ||
| 1,4871,487 | ||
| 1,2681,268 | ||
| 366366 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.05 The position is about equal
Best play: 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. O-O Bb6 9. Nbd2 Na5 10. Qb1 Ne7 11. dxe5 O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Bronstein Defense (ECO C52, Open Games) is a gambit in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Main Line, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 (6 moves).
In 147,231 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.0%, Black 48.8% and 4.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Qb3, in 40% of those games.
It branches into 2 named variations; the most played are Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Tartakower Attack and Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Sokolsky Variation. In all, 3 named lines continue from it.
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, Bronstein Defense
The most played answer, 7. Qb3 (Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Tartakower Attack), also scores best for White: 53.2%, with White winning 51.3% and Black 44.9% of 59K games. Of the main answers, 7. d5 scores lowest: 45.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Qb3.
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
Variations (2)
All 3 named lines that continue from here
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Bronstein Defense (C52)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-evans-gambit-bronstein-defense