The Evans Gambit, Richardson Attack 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. O-O Nf6 7. d4 O-O 8. Nxe5, reaching the position shown below after 15 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after eight moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s a-file pawn is isolated.
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, Richardson Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O Nf6 7. d4 O-O 8. Nxe5. It is a variation of the Italian Game and is catalogued as ECO C52.
The Evans Gambit, Richardson Attack 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. O-O Nf6 7. d4 O-O 8. Nxe5 at -0.59 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, 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 d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s a-file pawn is isolated.