Chessy
Englund Gambit: Zilbermints Gambit — play Black with a clear plan
After 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Nge7, the game reaches a sharp but awkward battleground for Black. It is White to move, and your job in the drill is to keep the initiative alive while handling White’s most natural developing moves. The position is not a free lunch: White has the better of it, so you need to know the key ideas and the most common replies very well. Use the drill to practise the exact position and learn what Black is trying to do next.
Play the Englund Gambit: Zilbermints Gambit against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position says about the opening
Stockfish rates this +1.39, a clear, lasting advantage for White. That means you are already playing from a difficult position and should not expect the opening to equalise by force.
The Lichess database backs that up: across 202,363 games at this exact position, White wins 50.2%, draws 3.9%, and Black wins 45.9%. In practical terms, this is a testing line for Black, and you need active play and good move choice just to stay in the game.
The move White chooses most often
The engine’s best move here is Bf4, and the listed continuation is Bf4 h6 e4 Ng6. That is the main line to understand in the drill.
White also reaches this position with several other moves, but Bf4 is the move the engine prefers, so you should be ready for it first. In this opening, the best practical habit is to respond consistently and avoid drifting into passive development.
What White usually plays from here
The most-played continuation is Nc3, with 52,601 games and White scoring 50.0%. Bf4 is close behind with 41,557 games and White scoring 50.2%, while Bg5 has 32,916 games and White scoring 54.3%.
Other common choices are e3 with 25,555 games and White scoring 47.8%, e4 with 20,719 games and White scoring 48.6%, and g3 with 7,263 games and White scoring 50.8%. That spread tells you White has several natural developing setups, so your drill should focus on recognising the position rather than memorising one single route.
Moves that are a bit inaccurate
The database marks three common moves as inaccuracies here. Bg5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns; better was Bf4. e3 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns; better was Bf4. g3 is another inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; better was Bf4.
For Black, that means you should be alert when White chooses a move that is a little too slow or a little too committal. Your goal is to use the activity in your pieces to make White prove the advantage move by move.
Results across 202,363 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 52,601 | 50.0% |
| Bf4 | 41,557 | 50.2% |
| Bg5 | 32,916 | 54.3% |
| e3 | 25,555 | 47.8% |
| e4 | 20,719 | 48.6% |
| g3 | 7,263 | 50.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Englund Gambit: Zilbermints Gambit good for Black?
This position is not objectively good for Black. Stockfish gives +1.39, which is a clear, lasting advantage for White. If you play it, you should know you are choosing an active surprise weapon rather than a sound equalising line.
What is White’s best move here?
The engine’s best move is Bf4. The listed continuation is Bf4 h6 e4 Ng6, so that is the main pattern to study in the drill. White has several other common choices, but Bf4 is the one the engine prefers.
What should I expect White to play most often?
Nc3 is the most-played continuation, with 52,601 games and White scoring 50.0%. Bf4 is also very common, with 41,557 games and White scoring 50.2%. Bg5, e3, e4, and g3 also appear regularly.
Which White moves are less accurate?
Bg5, e3, and g3 are all marked as inaccuracies here. The database says each one loses some ground compared with Bf4, which is the better move. That makes them useful targets for your drill, because you can learn how to meet them without letting White keep extra momentum.
How many games feature the Englund Gambit: Zilbermints Gambit?
Over 202K Lichess games have reached the Englund Gambit: Zilbermints Gambit position. White wins 50.2%, Black wins 45.9%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.