Chess Openings Lab
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Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French

The Reversed French is 1.d4 e5 2.e3, where White simply supports d4 and refuses the Englund pawn. Black can trade on d4 for an open, symmetrical game or keep tension with ...d6 and a King's Indian-style setup.

Moves
1.d4 e5 2.e3
ECO
A40
Engine
+0.18 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
8,142 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After ...exd4 exd4, develop Nf3, Bd3 and O-O with a symmetrical center and the open e-file.
  • Against ...Nc6, push d5 to gain space and kick the knight back to b8.
  • Against ...d6, play c4, Nc3 and Be2 for a quiet space edge.

Black

  • Trade ...exd4 and play ...d5, then ...c5 to create an Exchange French with colors reversed.
  • Use ...d6, ...Nf6 and ...g6 for a compact setup that resembles an Old Indian.
  • Avoid ...Nc6 here; after d5 the knight goes back and Black loses time.

Plans and pawn structure

After ...exd4 exd4 d5, both sides have symmetrical pawns and an open e-file. Black can play ...c5 to create tension, and White answers with c3 to keep d4 protected. In the ...d6 lines, Black builds a compact center and White expands with c4 and Nc3. The e3 pawn gives White a solid but passive start, so Black has no problems.

Where the engine's main line heads: Symmetrical center: d4 against d5, open e-file. A symmetrical center: d4 against d5 with an open e-file. Neither side has pawn weaknesses, so piece activity decides.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.18: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.18 2...exd4 3.exd4 d5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bd3
  2. +0.28 2...d6 3.Be2 Nf6 4.c4 g6 5.Nc3
  3. +0.40 2...Nc6 3.d5 Nb8 4.Nf3 d6 5.Be2

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

8,142 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.6%.

under 120052.1%
1200–159950.3%
1600–199950.2%
2000 and up45.9%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

For Black: ...exd4 followed by ...d5 gives easy equality and open lines for your pieces. Don't play ...Nc6, which allows d5 and gains White time as the knight goes back to b8. If you prefer a fight with more pieces on the board, choose ...d6, ...Nf6 and ...g6 instead.

Questions

What are the moves of the Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French?

The Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French starts 1.d4 e5 2.e3. Its ECO code is A40.

Is the Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.18 at depth 20, which is level. In 8,142 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.6%. Safe for White but not ambitious; Black should be happy.

What is the main idea of the Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French?

White plays solidly with e3, declining the Englund. Black gets an easy game with ...exd4 and ...d5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is exd4, with d6 and Nc6 close behind. ...exd4 opens the e-file and leads to a symmetrical center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.