The Evans Gambit, Levenfish Variation is a variation of the Italian Game, catalogued as ECO C52. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. O-O Bb6 10. Ba3 Na5 11. Nxe5, reaching the position shown below after 21 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after 11 moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White’s c- and a-files pawns are isolated; the d-file file is fully open.
On the Italian Game generally: A classical opening focusing on rapid development and control of the center with pieces.
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The Evans Gambit, Levenfish Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. O-O Bb6 10. Ba3 Na5 11. Nxe5. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C52.
The Evans Gambit, Levenfish Variation is ECO C52. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Italian Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. O-O Bb6 10. Ba3 Na5 11. Nxe5 at +0.03 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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 three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White’s c- and a-files pawns are isolated; the d-file file is fully open.