The Compromised Defense is a variation of the Evans Gambit, catalogued as ECO C52. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O dxc3, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up three points of material. It is White to move after seven moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated.
On the Evans Gambit generally: A romantic gambit sacrificing the b-pawn for rapid development and a strong center. Named after Captain William Evans.
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The Compromised Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O dxc3. It is a variation of the Evans Gambit and is catalogued as ECO C52.
The Compromised Defense is ECO C52. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Evans Gambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O dxc3 at +0.35 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up three points of material. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated.