Englund Gambit Declined · A40

Reversed Mokele Mbembe

1. d4 e5 2. Nf3 e4 3. Ne5

In the centre, White holds d4 while Black holds e4.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Englund Gambit. Fair warning: engines rate this gambit as objectively dubious; it is a practical weapon, not a promise of equality.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 pawn. Theory calls this the Reversed Alekhine.
• 2... e4 Puts the question to the knight on f3 - retreat, trade, or be taken. Theory calls this the Reversed Krebs.

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