Chessy
Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed Alekhine – Nc6
Black plays the Englund Gambit to stir up immediate chaos, but when they meet 1.d4 with 1...e5 followed by 2...Nc6, you have a simple and powerful response: take the pawn. After 3.dxe5 you step into the Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed Alekhine, and the statistics show this position is already yours to lose. Stockfish evaluates it at +1.32, a clear edge for White, meaning you stand clearly better here. Below you'll find the engine's top plan, the most common Black tries, and the exact numbers you need to turn that advantage into a full point.
Play the Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed Alekhine: Nc6 against the engine
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Create a free account →Why 3.dxe5 is the right call
The Englund Gambit is built around early tricks — if Black can tempt you into overextending or overlooking a cheapo, they're happy. By simply capturing with 3.dxe5 you decline the gambit in the most solid way possible. You grab a central pawn, you keep your pawn structure healthy, and you leave Black to prove they have compensation. They don't. The engine's +1.32 evaluation confirms that this is no toss-up: you are simply better. White wins 48.3% of the time in the database, which might look modest, but remember that Black is fighting for a swindle in many of those wins. Your job is to play principled moves and let the position's natural advantages work for you.
The engine's favourite: 4.d5
The best move in the position is 4.d5, and it's not close. By advancing the d-pawn you immediately gain space in the centre while attacking the knight on c6. That knight has to move, and after it does, White follows up with Bf4 (developing the bishop to a strong square), then f6 (prying open the position), and finally Nc3 (completing development). This sequence is direct and punishing — you're not giving Black any counterplay. If you're looking for a single plan to study for this position, this is it. You don't need to memorise a deep tree; you just need to know that d5 is your first move, and the rest flows naturally from central control and rapid development.
What Black actually plays (and what it means)
The most popular move by far is 4...Qe7, appearing in over 5.5 million games. Despite its popularity, White scores only 46.1% against it — the lowest of any major Black response. This tells you that Black's queen sortie is tricky in practice, even if it's not objectively best. The engine's line (d5 Bf4 f6 Nc3) handles it well: after 4.d5, if Black plays Qe7, you continue with Bf4, developing with tempo against the queen, and keep building pressure. Black's other options are healthier for you. Against 4...Bc5 (White scores 53.5%), 4...d6 (50.8%), 4...f6 (54.3%), 4...Nge7 (50.1%), or 4...d5 (53.1%), your winning chances are solid across the board. The message is simple: trust the engine's plan, and don't let the high-play-count replies scare you.
The one number that matters
Look at the win rates again. In nearly 8 million games from this exact position, White wins 48.3% and Black wins 48.1%, with only 3.5% draws. That near-coin-flip result is surprising for a position the engine rates as strongly in White's favour (+1.32). The gap between the engine's assessment and the actual results tells you one thing: many White players don't know how to follow up. This isn't an opening that plays itself — you have to know the right plan (4.d5, then Bf4, f6, Nc3) and execute it. If you do, you'll outperform the 48.3% by a wide margin. If you don't, you'll add to Black's 48.1%. The drill below is exactly where you build that skill.
Results across 7,962,657 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qe7 | 5,516,852 | 46.1% |
| Bc5 | 671,887 | 53.5% |
| d6 | 662,761 | 50.8% |
| f6 | 347,045 | 54.3% |
| Nge7 | 196,492 | 50.1% |
| d5 | 169,683 | 53.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Englund Gambit sound for Black?
No. The Englund Gambit (1.d4 e5) is considered unsound at the club level and above. When White plays 2.Nf3 and 3.dxe5, as in this line, they reach a position Stockfish evaluates at +1.32 — a clear edge for White. Black's compensation is largely tactical and psychological, not positional.
What is the best move for White after 3.dxe5?
The engine's top choice is 4.d5, which gains space and attacks the knight on c6. The follow-up plan is Bf4, then f6 to challenge Black's structure, and Nc3 to develop. This sequence keeps a lasting advantage and avoids Black's tactical tricks.
Why is White's win rate only 48.3% if the position is so good?
White wins 48.3% of the time across nearly 8 million games, which is lower than the engine evaluation suggests it should be. The gap exists because many White players do not know the best plan and allow Black counterplay. Learning the correct setup (4.d5, Bf4, f6, Nc3) will dramatically improve your results.
How should White handle the most popular reply 4...Qe7?
After 4.d5, if Black plays 4...Qe7, continue with 5.Bf4, developing the bishop and eyeing the queen's position. The engine then recommends f6 followed by Nc3. White scores only 46.1% against Qe7 in practice, so knowing this precise plan is important to avoid falling into Black's traps.