Play With TheoryQueen's Pawn Game · IV. Semi-Closed Game
Englund Gambit
The Englund Gambit is a tricky gambit for Black, which leads to wild positions straight out of the opening. Although the gambit is objectively unsound, there is considerable tactical opportunity for Black, and there are several traps that White may fall victim to with natural play.
- Side
- black
Characteristics
- ☘ AttainableShows up often enough that a learner should get regular chances to reach it.
- ⚔ TacticalSharp opening that creates concrete positions with immediate tactical demands.
- ⏳ TheoreticalNeeds concrete preparation, but not necessarily the extreme depth of the heaviest theory openings.
- 💎 UncommonLess common in practice, which can reduce opponent familiarity.
Strategic guide
Plans and motifs
- White almost always captures on e5—this is White's best move.
- Black looks to either win back the pawn with ...Nc6, ...Qe7, and ...Nge7-Ng6, or focus on development with ...d6 or ...f6.
- White has several ways to hold onto their extra pawn, but more often that not, White returns the pawn in exchange for piece development.
Theory map
Common lines
- After main line 2.dxe5:
- After main line 2...Nc6 3.Nf3:
- 3...f6 — Soller Gambit
- 3...Nge7 — Zilbermints Gambit
- 3...Qe7 — Main Line
- 4.Bf4 Qb4+ 5.Bd2 Qxb2 6.Bc3?? Bb4! is an infamous trap in the main line.
- 2...d6 — Hartlaub-Charlick Gambit (or "Blackburne Gambit")
- 2...Bc5 3.Nf3 d6 4.exd6 Ne7 5.dxe7?? — "Rosen Trap"
Train the opening
Training paths
A repertoire plan turns an opening into an ordered set of positions and branches to learn, practice, and review. Foundation paths cover the core branches. Mastery paths add deeper variations after the foundation is complete.
Foundation path
Start training this opening
Englund Gambit
developing
Imported Lines
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01
Free Bishop
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02
Bishop Snatch
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03
Bishop Heist
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04
Corner Mate
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05
Pin Mate
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06
Queen Snare
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07
Rook Raider
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08
Knight Trap
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09
Bishop Jab
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10
Knight Dance
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11
Solid Center
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12
Equalizer Pin
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13
Pawn Shatter
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14
Queen's Peril
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15
Bishop Guard
Mastery path
View mastery plan
Englund Gambit Mastery
advanced
Imported Lines
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01
Corner Mate
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02
Rook Reaper
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03
Pin Mate
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04
F3 Strike
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05
Bishop Snatch
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06
Rook Reaper
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07
1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 Qb4+ 5. Nbd2 Qxf4 6. e3 Qb4 7. b3 g6 8. a3 Qe7
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08
Back Rank Heist
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09
Pinned Queen
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10
B2 Heist
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11
B2 Heist
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12
Queen Snare
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13
C2 Fork
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14
Rook Heist
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15
C1 Trap
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16
B2 Heist
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17
1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 Qb4+ 5. Bd2 Qxb2 6. Bc3 Bb4 7. Bxb4 Nxb4 8. Nd...
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18
1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 Qb4+ 5. Bd2 Qxb2 6. Bc3 Bb4 7. Bxb4 Nxb4 8. Nb...
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19
1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 Qb4+ 5. Nbd2 Qxf4 6. e3 Qb4 7. b3 g6 8. Bc4 Nh...
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20
Queen Harpoon
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21
Queen Trap
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22
Rook X Ray
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23
Bishop Battery
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24
Queen Trap
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25
Queen Snare
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26
Queenside Ambush
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27
1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. f4 d6 4. exd6 Bxd6 5. Nf3 Qe7 6. g3 Bg4 7. Bg2 O-O-O 8. O-O B...
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28
Rook Raider
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29
Pawn Spear
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30
1. d4 e5 2. Nf3 e4 3. Ne5 c6 4. e3 h5 5. Be2 d6
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31
Knight Trap
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32
Bishop Jab
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33
Englund Spear
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34
Englund Pin
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35
Knight Dance
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36
Solid Center
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37
Equalizer Pin
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38
Pawn Shatter
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39
Queen's Peril
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40
Bishop Guard