The Englund Gambit Trap
A surprising queen maneuver that wins White's e-pawn and sometimes the entire game after an unsuspecting d4.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: The Englund Gambit is one of those openings that should not work but keeps catching people who play d4 on autopilot. I have seen club players rated 1600 and above walk straight into the queen trick because they assume 1...e5 against d4 must be harmless. It is a perfect example of why you should never stop paying attention, even in the opening.
What Is the Englund Gambit?
The Englund Gambit begins with 1. d4 e5, an audacious pawn sacrifice that challenges White's center immediately. After 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7, Black pins the e5 pawn to the king and threatens to recapture it. But the real trap lies deeper.
The most famous trick occurs when White tries to hold the pawn with natural developing moves. After Qe7, if White plays carelessly, Black can unleash a sequence involving Nxe5 followed by a discovered attack, or set up a situation where the queen reaches b4+ or other aggressive squares.
The Englund Gambit relies on White not knowing the correct response. With accurate play, White can maintain the extra pawn and a good position. But one wrong move and the position collapses spectacularly.
The Key Position
After 3...Qe7, Black puts pressure on the e5 pawn. White must decide how to defend it. The trap works when White plays a natural-looking move that allows Black to win material through tactical means.
For instance, if White plays Bf4?? to defend e5, Black can proceed with Qb4+ picking up the b2 pawn and creating havoc. The queen becomes extremely active while White struggles to untangle. Several similar themes arise depending on White's fourth move choice.
After 3...Qe7 - Black eyes the e5 pawn and prepares tactical tricks.
How White Should Respond
White's best approach is to return the pawn gracefully and focus on development. After 3...Qe7, moves like Nc3 or Bf4 followed by e3 allow White to consolidate and develop harmoniously. The key is not to become greedy trying to hold the e5 pawn at all costs.
The move 4. Qd5 is also effective, centralising the queen and preventing many of Black's tricks. White can follow up with normal development while maintaining a structural advantage.
The broader lesson for d4 players is to treat 1...e5 with respect. It is objectively unsound, but the tactical ideas are real and dangerous. Knowing the traps in advance turns a potential disaster into a smooth advantage.
Englund Gambit Trap FAQ
Is 1...e5 against d4 a real opening?
It is a recognized gambit, but it is considered objectively unsound. With correct play, White gets a free pawn and a good position. However, the practical traps make it a viable surprise weapon in rapid and blitz chess.
Why do players fall for the Englund Gambit?
Most d4 players are prepared for d5, Nf6, or c5, not e5. The unfamiliar territory causes them to play natural-looking moves that happen to fall into specific traps. Preparation and awareness are the best defenses.
Professor Archer says: Do I recommend the Englund as a serious opening? No. But do I recommend every d4 player learn to recognize and avoid its traps? Absolutely. Knowledge is your best defense, and the five minutes you spend understanding this gambit could save you from a painful loss.
Quick Quiz
After 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7, why is 4. Bf4 a mistake for White?
- It allows Qb4+, winning the b2 pawn and disrupting White's position (Correct) - Correct. After Bf4, Black plays Qb4+ which forks the king and the b2 pawn. White must deal with the check, and Black picks up the b-pawn while keeping the queen active and disruptive.
- It hangs the bishop to Nxe5 - The bishop on f4 is not hanging. The problem with Bf4 is not a piece capture but the check on b4 that creates tactical problems.
- It blocks the f-pawn, preventing f3 - While the bishop does occupy f4, the issue is not about blocking the f-pawn. The concrete tactical problem is the Qb4+ check.
- It weakens the c1-h6 diagonal - Moving the bishop from c1 does open that diagonal, but that is not the reason Bf4 is a mistake here. The specific problem is the queen check on b4.