Chessy
Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit — Black’s practical guide
The Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit is a sharp way to meet 1.d4, but you need to know what you are asking for. After 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 f6, White is to move and the position is already comfortable for your opponent. That makes this a useful training line if you want to understand the risks, spot White’s most common choices, and learn the engine’s best reaction. Use the drill below to see whether you can keep the game in fighting shape as Black.
Play the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position really says
This is not a sound equaliser for Black. Stockfish rates the position +1.47, a clear edge for White. That means you are already worse and need accurate play just to keep the game going. The practical lesson is simple: if you choose this opening, you must know how to meet White’s most natural replies without drifting further behind. The drill is designed to show you where the pressure starts and what move the engine trusts most.
The engine’s main answer
The best move here is e4. The engine line continues e4 Nc6 Nf3 fxe5, which shows the kind of play Black is aiming for: active pieces, quick development, and some counterplay before White consolidates. You should treat this as your main reference point in the drill. If you can remember that Black needs energetic play here, you will be much more likely to survive the opening phase.
What White usually does
The most common continuation is exf6, and it appears far more often than any other listed move. Other popular choices are Nf3, Bf4, e4, Nc3, and e6. The results are not reassuring for Black: White scores well across all of them, and the move e4 is especially dangerous because White scores 65.3% there. Your task is not to memorise everything, but to recognise which replies are most likely and stay alert for the exact move order the drill presents.
Two mistakes to punish or avoid
The database flags Nc3 as an inaccuracy. It loses about 0.8 pawns, and the better move was e4. It also flags e6 as a mistake. That loses about 1.0 pawns, with e4 again the better move. For Black, this is a reminder that passive or off-beat replies from White can still be met by accurate engine play, but you should not rely on your opponent helping you. In practical games, the opening still leaves you defending a position the engine already judges as better for White.
Results across 1,760,112 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exf6 | 1,295,464 | 52.0% |
| Nf3 | 273,423 | 53.6% |
| Bf4 | 47,405 | 52.8% |
| e4 | 36,320 | 65.3% |
| Nc3 | 29,688 | 54.3% |
| e6 | 27,577 | 52.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit good for Black?
It is an aggressive choice, but the evaluated position is already +1.47, which is a clear edge for White. So it is not a solid opening if you want a reliable equal game. It can still be useful as a surprise weapon if you know the ideas and the tactical risks.
What is Black’s best move after 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 f6?
The engine’s best move is **e4**. The continuation given is **e4 Nc6 Nf3 fxe5**. That is the line to focus on in the drill because it shows the most principled way to keep play active.
What does White usually play in this position?
The most played move is **exf6**, followed by **Nf3**, **Bf4**, **e4**, **Nc3**, and **e6**. Among these, White does especially well after **e4**, where the score is **65.3%**. You need to be ready for White to choose the most forcing and natural continuations.
Which White moves are marked as mistakes?
**Nc3** is listed as an inaccuracy, and **e6** is listed as a mistake. In both cases, the better move was **e4**. That tells you White can go wrong here, but Black still has to play accurately because the position is already favourable for White.
How many games feature the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit position. White wins 52.5%, Black wins 44.0%, with 3.4% draws — based on real rated games.