Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Dufresne Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
11,469 games: White 48.7% / Draw 3.1% / Black 48.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,8666,866 | ||
| 3,0313,031 | ||
| 495495 | ||
| 331331 | ||
| 260260 | ||
| 173173 | ||
| 171171 | ||
| 6363 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.18 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. Qb3 Qf6 9. e5 Qg6 10. Rd1 Nge7 11. Ba3 O-O 12. Bxd3 Qh5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Dufresne Defense (ECO C52, Open Games) is a gambit in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Pierce Defense, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O d3 (7 moves).
In 11,469 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.7%, Black 48.2% and 3.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Qb3, in 60% 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, Dufresne Defense
The most played answer, 8. Qb3, also scores best for White: 54.3%, with White winning 52.7% and Black 44.2% of 6,866 games. Of the main answers, 8. Qxd3 scores lowest: 42.9%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. 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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Dufresne Defense (C52)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-evans-gambit-dufresne-defense