Chessy
Play the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit Deferred as Black
After 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 f6, the position is already sharp, but not in a good way for you. White to move has the easier game, and your job is to understand what you are really asking for with this gambit: quick activity, direct pressure, and a clear plan when White accepts the challenge. The drill below puts you in the critical position where one accurate reply matters most. Learn the engine’s idea, spot the common human choices, and feel how quickly the game can drift into a lasting edge for your opponent.
Play the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit Deferred against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position really says
Stockfish rates this +1.42, a clear edge for White. That means you are clearly worse here.
This is the key lesson of the opening: once White has taken on e5 and you have answered with Nc6 and f6, you are not playing for a fully equal setup. You are trying to make the position complicated enough that White slips. If White stays calm, the extra space and material advantage tend to remain with them, so your practical goal is to stay active and keep forcing decisions.
The engine’s best reply to learn
The engine’s best move here is Bf4, continuing Bf4 fxe5 Nxe5 Nxe5.
That tells you what White is most likely to do when handled well: develop smoothly, keep the extra pawn, and meet your pressure with simple development. For your training, this is useful because it shows the kind of position you should expect after the most accurate defence. You need to understand the structure and piece activity, not hunt for a one-move trick that is not there.
What real players choose most often
The database shows that the position comes up often enough to matter: across 453,076 games, White wins 53.8%, draws 3.6%, and Black wins 42.6%.
The most-played continuations are:
- exf6 — 325,003 games, White scores 53.9%
- Bf4 — 58,050 games, White scores 54.0%
- Nc3 — 20,865 games, White scores 53.3%
- e4 — 16,410 games, White scores 60.2%
- e3 — 10,588 games, White scores 48.5%
- e6 — 10,200 games, White scores 52.2%
The main message is simple: White usually chooses one of a few natural moves, and the results still lean in White’s favour. As Black, you should be prepared for quick development by White rather than a messy opening trap.
The moves to punish
There are a few known inaccuracies and mistakes worth remembering because they help you focus your practice.
- Nc3 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns; better was Bf4.
- e3 is a mistake and loses about 1.2 pawns; better was Bf4.
- e6 is a mistake and loses about 1.6 pawns; better was e4.
That does not mean these moves lose on the spot, but it does mean White can usually get a stronger game by choosing more active development. When you face these replies in the drill, keep your attention on development and activity rather than trying to force tactics that are not supported.
Results across 453,076 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exf6 | 325,003 | 53.9% |
| Bf4 | 58,050 | 54.0% |
| Nc3 | 20,865 | 53.3% |
| e4 | 16,410 | 60.2% |
| e3 | 10,588 | 48.5% |
| e6 | 10,200 | 52.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit Deferred sound for Black?
In this position, the answer is no. Stockfish rates it +1.42, a clear edge for White, so you are already playing from a worse position after the opening moves. It can still be useful as a practical surprise weapon, but you should know the objective verdict.
What is the best move for White here?
The engine’s best move is Bf4, continuing Bf4 fxe5 Nxe5 Nxe5. That line shows White calmly developing while keeping the advantage. If you are Black, this is the main idea you need to understand and face in the drill.
Which replies are most common in the database?
The most-played continuations are exf6, Bf4, Nc3, e4, e3, and e6. The largest sample is exf6 with 325,003 games. These practical choices are worth drilling because they are the moves you are most likely to meet.
Which replies should I pay special attention to as Black?
Nc3, e3, and e6 are marked as inaccuracies or mistakes, so they are useful targets for your study. Even so, White still keeps the better game in most of these lines, so your focus should be on surviving the opening and using your activity well.
How many games feature the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit Deferred?
Over 453K Lichess games have reached the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit Deferred position. White wins 53.8%, Black wins 42.6%, with 3.6% draws — based on real rated games.