English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense, Löhn Gambit

After 1.c4 d5 2.cxd5 e6, the board is at a critical moment: it is White to move, and the burden is on Black to justify the gambit. Stockfish rates this +1.18, a clear advantage for White. That means you are worse here and need accurate defence from the first move of the drill. The good news is that the position is concrete, so you can train the exact replies that matter instead of guessing over the board.

The engine’s best move for White is dxe6, continuing dxe6 Bxe6 Nf3 c5. You do not need to memorise anything beyond that line to use this lesson well. The practical point is simple: White can accept the gambit and keep the extra pull. As Black, you should be ready to meet that most forcing choice and keep your pieces active rather than spending tempi on recovery moves that solve nothing.

The database shows that White’s main choice is dxe6, played in 72,009 games, and White scores 55.1% there. The next most common reply is Nc3, with 24,638 games and White scoring 51.4%. After that come Nf3, d4, e4, and g3. In practical terms, White usually keeps the position flexible and tries to squeeze Black with simple development rather than entering a wild tactical fight.

Three continuations are marked as inaccuracies here: Nc3, Nf3, and d4. In each case, the better move was dxe6. That matters for training because it tells you which quiet-looking moves are less precise and which reply White should have chosen instead. When you play the drill, do not assume every developing move is safe for White; some of them already concede too much compared with the direct capture.

Across 102,139 games at this exact position, White wins 54.0%, draws 3.3%, and Black wins 42.7%. Those numbers fit the engine verdict: White is doing better, and Black’s task is to survive the early pressure and look for chances later. This is not a line to play hoping for a comfortable equal game; it is a line where you must know the practical responses and stay precise.