What is the Englund Gambit in chess?
The Englund Gambit is a chess opening in which Black, after the moves 1.d4 e5, plays 2.dxe5 d6. This gambit aims to open up the center and create a pawn structure that allows for a quick development of the pieces. The Englund Gambit is considered a very aggressive and unorthodox opening. It is not a commonly seen in high level chess, but it can be a useful surprise weapon for Black against unsuspecting opponents.
Introduced by Olf Englund
The Englund Gambit was first introduced by the Swedish player Olof Englund in the late 19th century. It was later developed and popularized by the Polish grandmaster Savielly Tartakower in the early 20th century. The most popular response for White is 3.Nf3, which aims to quickly develop the pieces and gain control of the center. However, other moves such as 3.e3, 3.Nc3, and 3.c3, are also played to try and neutralize Black’s aggressive play.
The main idea behind the Englund Gambit is to open up the center and gain an advantage in space. However, it also has the potential to leave Black with a weakened pawn structure if White is able to handle the gambit correctly. Therefore, it is important for Black to have a solid understanding of the pawn structure and be able to quickly develop the pieces in order to achieve a favorable position.