Chessy
Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French
After 1.d4 e5 2.e3, you get a quiet but practical starting point for White. The position is calm, but Black is the side to move, so your next decisions matter. Stockfish rates this +0.20, a small edge for White. That means you are essentially level and should focus on simple development, good structure, and punishing the most common inaccuracies in the drill below.
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Create a free account →What this opening is really about
This line is not about chasing a quick attack. It is about meeting the gambit in a solid way and keeping your position healthy. The position after 1.d4 e5 2.e3 is balanced, and you should treat it as a normal opening position where development and central control matter more than tricks. If you stay calm, you can steer the game into a stable middlegame instead of allowing Black easy activity.
The engine's main answer
The engine's best move here is exd4. In the continuation given, the play goes exd4 exd4 d5 Bd3. That tells you the central trade is the most important idea to know in this position. When Black chooses this move, your job is to stay organised, recapture accurately, and finish development without drifting into passivity.
What the database says
This exact position has been reached in 6,005,764 games in the Lichess database, so it is a very well-travelled branch. The results are almost perfectly split: White wins 48.0%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 47.9%. That is a useful reminder that this is a practical opening position, not a forced win for either side. If you learn the ideas here, you are preparing for a very common kind of fight.
The moves you should know
The most-played continuation is exd4 with 3,443,482 games, and White scores 46.9% there. The other popular replies are e4 with 1,239,083 games and White scoring 47.6%, Nc6 with 458,529 games and White scoring 49.9%, d6 with 320,748 games and White scoring 50.4%, d5 with 151,467 games and White scoring 50.2%, and f6 with 99,718 games and White scoring 54.8%. The lesson is simple: expect central tension, know the main capture, and stay ready for a range of quieter responses too.
Common mistakes to punish
Two moves are flagged as inaccuracies here: d5 and f6. In both cases, the better move was exd4. If Black plays one of these weaker continuations against you, do not rush; just keep your position sound and take the improvement in structure and activity. The important habit is to recognise when Black has chosen a move that does not solve the central problem as well as the main capture does.
Results across 6,005,764 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exd4 | 3,443,482 | 46.9% |
| e4 | 1,239,083 | 47.6% |
| Nc6 | 458,529 | 49.9% |
| d6 | 320,748 | 50.4% |
| d5 | 151,467 | 50.2% |
| f6 | 99,718 | 54.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French good for White?
It is completely playable, but not clearly better for White. Stockfish rates the position +0.20, and the practical results are almost even, so you should expect a normal game rather than a quick advantage.
What is the main move for Black here?
The engine's best move is exd4. In the listed continuation, that leads into exd4 exd4 d5 Bd3, so central play is the key theme to understand.
What should I do after Black captures in the centre?
Stay calm and recapture cleanly. The opening is about keeping your position healthy, completing development, and not letting Black's central play become more active than it needs to be.
Which moves are the most common replies in this position?
The database shows exd4 as the main reply, with e4, Nc6, d6, d5, and f6 also appearing often. Knowing these replies helps you prepare for the most likely plans, especially the central ones.
How many games feature the Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French?
Over 6 million Lichess games have reached the Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French position. White wins 48.0%, Black wins 47.9%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.