Englund Gambit
ECO A40 · 1. d4 e5
The Englund Gambit, 1.d4 e5, gives up a central pawn immediately to set traps. It is objectively dubious, but it scores well in fast games because natural moves by White can lose quickly.
Plans for White
White takes on e5 and develops sensibly with Nf3, Bf4 or Bd2, and Nc3. Returning the pawn at the right time to finish development is a simple way to keep an advantage.
Plans for Black
Black plays ...Nc6 and ...Qe7, attacking the e5 pawn, and tries to exploit the b2 pawn and queen checks on b4.
Typical pawn structures
Open center with White's extra pawn on e5 as the target.
Who it suits
Blitz and bullet players who enjoy traps and quick tactics. Not recommended for long games, because a calm opponent will simply keep the extra pawn and develop.
Common traps
The famous trap: 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Bf4? Qb4+ 5.Bd2 Qxb2 6.Bc3? Bb4! 7.Qd2 Bxc3 8.Qxc3 Qc1#. White should play 4.Qd5 or 4.Nc3 instead of 4.Bf4.
Variations
- Englund Gambit: Hartlaub-Charlick Gambit — 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 d6
- Englund Gambit: Mosquito Gambit — 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Qh4
- Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit — 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 f6
- Englund Gambit: Felbecker Gambit — 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bc5
- Englund Gambit: Main Line — 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7
- Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit Deferred — 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 f6
- Englund Gambit: Zilbermints Gambit — 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nge7
- Englund Gambit: Stockholm Variation — 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Qd5