Italian Game: Evans Gambit Declined, Cordel Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
10,689 games: White 45.0% / Draw 3.7% / Black 51.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 8,7328,732 | ||
| 863863 | ||
| 262262 | ||
| 261261 | ||
| 145145 | ||
| 130130 | ||
| 8181 | ||
| 6262 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.08 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... Nf6 6. O-O Nxe4 7. d3 Nf6 8. b5 Na5 9. Bxe5 Nxc4 10. dxc4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Evans Gambit Declined, Cordel Variation (ECO C51, Open Games) is a declined gambit in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit Declined, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bb6 5. Bb2 (5 moves).
In 10,689 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.0%, Black 51.3% and 3.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…d6, in 82% 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 Declined, Cordel Variation
The most played answer, 5…d6, also scores best for Black: 54.1%, with Black winning 52.0% and White 43.9% of 8,732 games. Of the main answers, 5…Nf6 scores lowest: 53.4%. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Nf6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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 Declined, Cordel Variation (C51)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-evans-gambit-declined-cordel-variation