From the foregoing illustrations of the Evans Gambit, it will be seen that
this opening is exceedingly complicated both for the attack and the
defence. It is safer for Black to _decline_ accepting the gambit, which is
done by playing 4. ... B to {372} Kt 3. The opening is then reduced to a
Giuoco Piano, White having (theoretically speaking) compromised his pawns
on the Queen's side by having advanced them prematurely, which advance may
prove a weakness in the ending.
WHITE. BLACK.
1. P to K 4 1. P to K 4
2. Kt to K B 3 2. Kt to Q B 3
3. B to B 4 3. B to B 4
4. P to Q Kt 4 4. B to Kt 3
5. P to Q R 4
The best move. 5. P to Kt 5 is inferior, as shown exhaustively in the
following variations:--
5. P to Kt 5 5. Kt to R 4
6. Kt takes P 6. Kt to R 3 (!)
7. P to Q 4 7. P to Q 3
8. B takes Kt 8. P takes B
Not 8. ... P takes Kt, because of 9. B takes P, R to K Kt sq.; 10. B
takes P: ch., K takes B; 11. B takes P, Q to Kt 4; 12. P to Kt 3, B to
Kt 5; 13. P to B 3, with four pawns for a piece, which is more than an
equivalent.