There is no necessity for Black [in the Evans Gambit] to accept the offer of the pawn. On the contrary, if he retires with his bishop to b6 in reply, he will, as White's last move has in no way furthered his development, gain a small but distinct advantage in position.
Emanuel Lasker, Common Sense In Chess
Declining the Evans can mean knowing a route through the messy tactical lines that run 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bb6 5. b5 Na5 6. Nxe5 or 5. .. Nd4 6. Nxe5
ReplyDeleteRdC
Doubtless Lasker knew what he was talking about, but I have been singularly unsuccessful with 4...Bb6, whereas declining the gambit with the lesser-known 4...d5!? served me well for many years.
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