Chessy
Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit with Nf3 — Your Guide as Black
You've played 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 f6 3.Nf3 Nc6. Welcome to the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit with Nf3. Let's be honest: Stockfish evaluates this position at +1.38, a clear edge for White. That means you are clearly worse here — statistically, White wins 53.8% of the time across over 450,000 games, while Black scores 42.6%. But those numbers also mean you are not lost. This page shows you what the engine wants, which White moves are actually tricky, and where your opponents slip up most often. The interactive drill below will sharpen your instincts in this sharp, risky line.
Play the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit: Nf3 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play through the Soller Gambit Nf3 position in the interactive drill below — practice your replies against the engine and see if you can punish those e3 and e6
Create a free account →What You Are Fighting For
The Englund Gambit is a surprise weapon, not a sound opening. Black offers a pawn and then tries to disrupt White's centre immediately with ...f6, attacking the e5-pawn. In this Soller Gambit branch, White has defended e5 with Nf3, and your Nc6 joins the fight. You are gambling that White will either grab material clumsily or misplace their pieces, letting you seize the initiative. The engine's +1.38 reflects that White can keep their extra pawn and reach a comfortable position — but comfortable doesn't mean winning, and plenty of White players miss the best continuation.
The Engine's Recipe: Bf4 and What Follows
Stockfish's top choice is Bf4, which prevents …g5 ideas and calmly develops. The engine's suggested continuation is Bf4 g5 Bg3 h5. White accepts the pawn on e5 will drop but argues that after the dust settles they have a structural edge. From your side as Black, you get some attacking play on the kingside but remain a pawn down for insufficient compensation. The engine view is clear: White keeps a lasting advantage. Knowing this sequence means you won't be shocked when your opponent plays Bf4 — and you'll be ready to create complications anyway.
What the Numbers Say About White's Choices
The most popular White move is exf6 (325,003 games), which takes the f6-pawn straight away — White scores 53.9% here. Bf4 is second (58,050 games, 54.0%). Both are solid. Interestingly, e3 looks quiet but is actually a mistake, losing about 1.1 pawns compared to the stronger e4. e6 is also a mistake (losing ~1.4 pawns). White's e3 scores only 48.5%, which is terrible for White — below average. That means if your opponent plays e3, you've caught them in a real error and should have good chances. The e3 and e6 mistakes are the moments where your gambit pays off.
Your Best Reply to the Most Popular Move: exf6
By far the most common White move is exf6, capturing the pawn you offered on f6. White now has the f6-square available while Black is … well, a pawn down. After exf6, the main line continues with natural development: Black typically plays Nxf6, and White develops with Nc3 or Bg5. You have active piece play and some pressure against d4, but the engine's assessment doesn't improve — White keeps their plus. Treat exf6 as the test: if you can generate counterplay against White's centre and king, you've done your job. If White plays accurately, the advantage remains theirs.
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 with Nf3 a good opening for beginners?
It is a risky, unsound gambit that gives White a clear advantage (+1.38 according to Stockfish). Beginners may enjoy the tactical chaos, but you will face an uphill battle against anyone who knows the basic reply Bf4. It works best as a surprise weapon in blitz or rapid games, not as a main repertoire choice.
What is the best move for White against the Soller Gambit Nf3?
The engine's top choice is Bf4, which continues with g5 Bg3 h5. This line keeps White's advantage solid while avoiding Black's counterplay. In practice, most White players choose exf6 (over 325,000 games), which also scores well at 53.9%.
Which White moves are mistakes in the Soller Gambit Nf3?
Two moves stand out as errors: e3 loses about 1.1 pawns compared to the stronger e4, and e6 loses about 1.4 pawns. White's win rate with e3 is just 48.5%, which is lower than Black's overall score — so if your opponent plays e3, you've caught them in a mistake.
What is Black's winning percentage in this position?
Across 453,076 games on Lichess, Black wins 42.6% of the time, with 3.6% draws and 53.8% White wins. That is a respectable score for an unsound gambit — it shows that while White is objectively better, many White players fail to convert.
How many games feature the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit: Nf3?
Over 453K Lichess games have reached the Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit: Nf3 position. White wins 53.8%, Black wins 42.6%, with 3.6% draws — based on real rated games.