Englund Gambit: 3...Qe7 4.Bf4 Qb4+ 5.Bd2 is variation 1 of 6 in the Beating the Englund and Budapest gambits course, a beginner opening course for White (ECO A40). It runs 25 moves and begins 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 Qb4+ …. Black gives the e5 pawn and the queen goes after b2. Against the popular 4.Bf4 Qb4+ White blocks with the bishop, then gives the b2 pawn back with 6.Nc3. The rook chases the queen, and White keeps an extra pawn and a big lead in development. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
1... e5 – The Englund Gambit. It is a dubious gambit. Black gives a pawn and hopes for quick tricks.
2. dxe5 – Take the pawn. White is now a pawn up.
2... Nc6 – Black attacks the e5 pawn.
3. Nf3 – White guards the e5 pawn with the knight.
3... Qe7 – The Englund main line. It is an inaccuracy, but it sets a trap. The queen hits e5 and eyes b4.
4. Bf4 – The most popular move. The bishop guards e5, but the b2 pawn gets weaker.
4... Qb4+ – The queen checks and attacks b2 at the same time.
5. Bd2 – Block with the bishop. This is the only safe way.
5... Qxb2 – A greedy grab. Black takes b2 and attacks the a1 rook.
6. Nc3 – The right move. The knight develops, and the queen on d1 still guards the a1 rook.
6... Bb4 – Black pins the c3 knight.
7. Rb1 – The rook attacks the queen and wins time.
7... Qa3 – The queen steps away and keeps the pin.
8. Rb3 – The rook hits the queen again.
8... Qa5 – The queen keeps the pin on c3.
The lesson goes on for 9 more moves, each with its explanation.
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