Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Hein Countergambit
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Statistics from Lichess
7,003 games: White 43.8% / Draw 4.4% / Black 51.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 4,7024,702 | ||
| 1,4261,426 | ||
| 415415 | ||
| 406406 | ||
| 2929 | ||
| 1212 | ||
| 77 | ||
| 33 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.57 White is slightly better
Best play: 5. exd5 Nxb4 6. O-O Ne7 7. Nxe5 Nbxd5 8. d4 Bd6 9. Nd2 Be6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Hein Countergambit (ECO C51, Open Games) is a gambit in the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 d5 (4 moves).
In 7,003 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.8%, Black 51.7% and 4.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. exd5, in 67% 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, Hein Countergambit
The most played answer, 5. exd5, also scores best for White: 49.6%, with White winning 47.5% and Black 48.3% of 4,702 games. Of the main answers, 5. bxc5 scores lowest: 34.9%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. exd5.
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, Hein Countergambit (C51)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-evans-gambit-hein-countergambit