But the analysis engines Stockfish10 and Komodo10 suggest a very interesting alternative in 4...d6!?, which occurs just once in ChessBase's 2020 Mega database.
After 5.exd6, Maxim Ivanov (1923) - Vyacheslav Reva (-), Ukraine U8 Championship (Yevpatoria) 2007, continued 5...cxd6 6.e3 Qf6 7.Nc3 with a large advantage for White, although Black apparently won (the score in Mega20 is incomplete).
Reva was on the right track with 6...Qf6, but should have played it a move earlier. The point is that 5...Qf6!? threatens White's dark-square bishop and the b2 pawn.
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| How should White proceed? |
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White can protect both weak points by 6.Bc1, but after 6...Bxd6 Black has a handy lead in development.
The other way to protect both weak points is 6.Qc1, but then 6...Bxd6 7.Bxd6 Qxd6 also gives Black reasonable compensation. Stockfish10, for example, continues 8.Nc3 Nf6 9.Qd2, when Komodo10 likes 9...Qe7, meeting Stockfish10's 10.0-0-0 with 10....0-0 with an unclear position.
After 5...Qf6!?, White is two pawns up, so could think about returning the pawns by 6.e3!? Qxb2 7.Nbd2 Bxd6.
The engines give best play as 8.Bxd6 cxd6 9.Rb1 Qc3 (if 9...Qxa2?!, then 10.Nc4 is strong) 10.Rb3 Qa5 11.Rb5!? Qc3 12.Bd3 Nf6 13.0-0 a6 14.Rb3 Qc5 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 0-0, when Black's weaknesses at d6 and b7 look more serious than White's at c2 and a2.
But this line deserves investigation by anyone thinking of giving the Englund Gambit a punt, as do the earlier alternatives 3...f6!? and 3...d6!?
CONCLUSIONS
The Englund Gambit has not been analysed out - there are discoveries to be made by anyone with patience, an inquiring mind and a decent analysis engine.
For many whites it will come as an unpleasant surprise, and the pressure will be on them to refute Black's 'inferior' play.
Black should not worry about being a pawn down from an early stage, but must play actively to create tactical chances.
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