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The Englund Gambit Trap

The queen raid on b2 sets up a pin and mate on c1.

Opening: Englund Gambit. Set by Black. Level: Intermediate.

Practise setting and escaping it

The moves

1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Bf4 Qb4+ 5.Bd2 Qxb2 6.Bc3 Bb4 7.Qd2 Bxc3 8.Qxc3 Qc1#

The mistake: White plays Bc3 (1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Bf4 Qb4+ 5.Bd2 Qxb2 6.Bc3)

It only works after a mistake

White must play Bc3 for it to work. The Englund Gambit is unsound. Against correct play White keeps an extra pawn.

Final position after 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Qe7 4.Bf4 Qb4+ 5.Bd2 Qxb2 6.Bc3 Bb4 7.Qd2 Bxc3 8.Qxc3 Qc1#

How to avoid it

Nc3 (instead of Bc3) keeps everything protected.

Practise setting and escaping it