Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d6 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb3 Na5 12.Bxf7+ Kf8 13.Qc2. White: bishop on f7, pawn on d4, pawn on e4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, queen on c2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, queen on d8, king on f8, knight on g8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, bishop on d7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, bishop on b6, pawn on d6, knight on a5.
Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d6 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb3 Na5 12.Bxf7+ Kf8 13.Qc2. It is classified C51 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Italian Game develops the bishop to c4, aiming it directly at Black's weakest square, f7. It is among the oldest recorded openings and one of the most recommended for beginners, because every move follows the basic principles of development and central control without requiring memorisation.
Strategic character
Play can go two very different ways. The Giuoco Pianissimo leads to slow build-ups with a closed centre and long manoeuvring, while the Evans Gambit and the older main lines with an early d4 produce sharp open games with early sacrifices.
Who should play it
Beginners and improving players. The Italian teaches central control, rapid development, and king safety without punishing you for not knowing theory.
This line is a variation within the Italian Game family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d6 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb3 Na5 12.Bxf7+ Kf8 13.Qc2.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d6 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb3 Na5 12.Bxf7+ Kf8 13.Qc2. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
What is the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack?
The Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d6 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb3 Na5 12.Bxf7+ Kf8 13.Qc2. It is classified C51 in the ECO system. The Italian Game develops the bishop to c4, aiming it directly at Black's weakest square, f7. It is among the oldest recorded openings and one of the most recommended for beginners, because every move follows the basic principles of development and central control without requiring memorisation.
What are the moves of the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack?
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O d6 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb3 Na5 12.Bxf7+ Kf8 13.Qc2. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack good for beginners?
Beginners and improving players. The Italian teaches central control, rapid development, and king safety without punishing you for not knowing theory.
What variations come from the Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Fraser-Mortimer Attack?
Named continuations include Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Mortimer-Evans Gambit. There are 1 named variations reachable from this position in total.