Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Sanders-Alapin Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
951 games: White 45.8% / Draw 2.7% / Black 51.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 447447 | ||
| 205205 | ||
| 103103 | ||
| 5959 | ||
| 5858 | ||
| 1919 | ||
| 1212 | ||
| 99 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.11 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. Qb3 Qe7 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Rd1 Rd8 11. a4 Bb6 12. a5 Bc5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Sanders-Alapin Variation (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 Bd7 (7 moves).
In 951 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.8%, Black 51.4% and 2.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Qb3, in 47% 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, Sanders-Alapin Variation
8. dxe5 scores best for White: 58.5%, with White winning 56.6% and Black 39.5% of 205 games. The most played, 8. Qb3, scores 47.1% in 447 games, and 8. Ng5 scores lowest: 43.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 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, Sanders-Alapin Variation (C52)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/italian-game-evans-gambit-sanders-alapin-variation