Chess traps
The Englund Gambit Trap: Moves and How to Avoid It
The Englund Gambit trap arises after 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7. If White defends the e5 pawn with 4.Bf4 and later blocks a check with the bishop, Black's queen takes on b2 and can mate on c1.
Example
1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 Qb4+ 5. Bd2 Qxb2 6. Bc3 Bb4 7. Qd2 Bxc3 8. Qxc3 Qc1#
After 5...Qxb2 the queen attacks the rook on a1 and the bishop. 6.Bc3? Bb4 pins the bishop, 7.Qd2 Bxc3 8.Qxc3 deflects the queen from c1, and Qc1 is mate.
How the trap works
The Englund Gambit, 1.d4 e5, gives up a pawn. After 3...Qe7 Black attacks e5 again. If White guards it with 4.Bf4, Black checks with 4...Qb4+. The natural block 5.Bd2 leaves b2 unprotected, and 5...Qxb2 attacks the rook on a1.
Now 6.Bc3 looks like it traps the queen or wins time, but 6...Bb4 pins the bishop to the queen. After 7.Qd2 Bxc3 8.Qxc3, White's queen is no longer guarding c1, and 8...Qc1 is mate. The queen checks along the first rank and covers d1 and d2, while White's own pawns on e2 and f2 and the bishop on f1 block the rest.
Why the natural move fails and what to play instead
6.Bc3 defends the rook but walks into a pin. White should play 6.Nc3 instead. The knight develops, and Rb1 will chase Black's queen with gain of time. White is clearly better.
White can also sidestep the queen check entirely. Against 3...Qe7, the engine's top choice is 4.Bg5, which develops with an attack on the queen.
Is the Englund Gambit any good?
Not objectively. After 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5, Black is a pawn down without real compensation, and the engine gives White an advantage of about a pawn throughout the trap line if White avoids the mistakes. It is a surprise weapon for fast games, not a reliable opening.
Common questions
Is 5.Bd2 a mistake?
No. 5.Bd2 is fine, and White keeps an advantage. The mistake is 6.Bc3, which allows the pin with 6...Bb4. After 5...Qxb2, 6.Nc3 is the right move.
What is the best answer to the Englund Gambit?
Taking the pawn with 2.dxe5 and developing normally with Nf3, Bf4 or Bd2, Nc3, and e3. Avoid grabbing more material until your pieces are out.
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