The Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Levenfish Variation reaches a named position after 11 moves: 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
In practical games, this line matters because the early pawn and piece choices decide which middlegame plans are natural. Use the board above to learn the move order, then complete Practice without hints before adding the opening to your regular queue.
If this exact branch does not appear in your games, study the related lines below. Openings often transpose, and recognizing the family pattern is more useful than memorizing one narrow sequence.
The idea behind this line
White develops quickly toward the kingside and prepares the central d4 break.
What to look for
- Challenge the center with ...Nf6 and ...d5.
- Castle before chasing the c4 bishop.
- Use ...a6 and ...Ba7 only when the center is stable.
Position details
This line branches from Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Tartakower Attack with Qd7.
r1b1k1nr/pppq1ppp/2np4/b3p3/2BPP3/1QP2N2/P4PPP/RNB1K2R w KQkq - 2 8