ECO A40 · Englund Gambit

Englund Gambit

1. d4 e5

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2. dxe5+1.10

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Englund Gambit (A40), reached after 1. d4 e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. dxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.10).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.102. dxe5 d5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bf4 h6 5. h4 Nge7 6. Nbd2 Bg4
  2. +0.302. e3 exd4 3. exd4 d5 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. O-O Nb4
  3. +0.202. e4 exd4 3. Nf3 Bc5 4. Be2 Nc6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 dxc3

All Englund Gambit variations (8)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Englund Gambit?
After 1. d4 e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. dxe5 for White, continuing d5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bf4 h6 5. h4 Nge7 6. Nbd2 Bg4. White is clearly better (+1.10). The next best moves are 2. e3 (+0.30) and 2. e4 (+0.20).
Is the Englund Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.10: white is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Englund Gambit?
A40. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).