Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Lasker Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
28,018 games: White 41.0% / Draw 4.4% / Black 54.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 10,59811K | ||
| 6,2716,271 | ||
| 2,5232,523 | ||
| 1,3581,358 | ||
| 1,2971,297 | ||
| 1,2241,224 | ||
| 1,2101,210 | ||
| 1,2011,201 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.11 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Qxd8+ Nxd8 10. Nxe5 Nf6 11. Nd2 O-O 12. Re1 Re8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Lasker Defense (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 Bb6 (7 moves).
In 28,018 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 41.0%, Black 54.6% and 4.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. dxe5, in 38% 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, Lasker Defense
The most played answer, 8. dxe5, also scores best for White: 45.6%, with White winning 43.0% and Black 51.7% of 11K games. Of the main answers, 8. Ng5 scores lowest: 35.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. dxe5.
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, Lasker Defense (C52)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-evans-gambit-lasker-defense