Chess Openings Lab
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Englund Gambit: Felbecker Gambit

The Felbecker Gambit is 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bc5, where Black leaves the e5 pawn alone and develops the bishop toward f2. It is a dubious gambit: White keeps the extra pawn with simple moves like Nc3 and Bf4 and stays clearly better.

Moves
1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bc5
ECO
A40
Engine
+1.70 · a large advantage for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,316 games in our lichess sample
White scores
55.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Develop Nc3 and Bf4, guarding the e5 pawn twice and getting ready for e3 and a quick castle.
  • In the Bf4 lines, answer ...d5 exd6 Qf6 with Qc1, covering both the f4 bishop and the b2 pawn.
  • Try a3 and b4 to chase the c5 bishop; if the long diagonal to a1 opens, Ra2 can sidestep.

Black

  • Use ...f6 or ...d6 to open lines and try to regain the e5 pawn while White is still developing.
  • Bring the queen to f6, where it hits b2 and f2 together and can combine with the c5 bishop.
  • Develop quickly with ...Nge7 or ...Nf6, castle short, and look for open files toward White's king.

Plans and pawn structure

White is a clean pawn up, and the plan is simple: Nc3, Bf4, e3, a bishop to e2 or d3, and castle. The e5 pawn can be returned if that speeds up development. Black needs fast activity: ...d6 or ...f6 to open lines, ...Qf6 to hit b2, and the c5 bishop against f2. If those tricks are parried, Black is just down material with no lasting compensation.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.70: a large advantage for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.70 4.Nc3 f6 5.Bf4 fxe5 6.Nxe5 Nf6
  2. +1.62 4.Bf4 d5 5.exd6 Qf6 6.Qc1 cxd6
  3. +1.50 4.a3 d6 5.b4 Bb6 6.exd6 Qf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,316 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.7%.

under 120060.6%
1200–159954.9%
1600–199954.6%
2000 and up56.8%

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

How to play against it

For White: develop with Nc3 or Bf4 and keep the extra pawn. Watch for ...Qf6 hitting b2 and a bishop on f4 at the same time; Qc1 handles both. Don't rush to grab more material, and don't leave f2 weak by delaying e3 and castling.

Questions

What are the moves of the Englund Gambit: Felbecker Gambit?

The Englund Gambit: Felbecker Gambit starts 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 3.Nf3 Bc5. Its ECO code is A40.

Is the Englund Gambit: Felbecker Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.70 at depth 20, which is a large advantage for White. In 1,316 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.7%. Too loose for Black against prepared opponents, though the ...Qf6 tricks can catch players who develop carelessly.

What is the main idea of the Englund Gambit: Felbecker Gambit?

Black gives up a pawn for development and pressure on f2 and b2. White keeps the pawn with sensible development and is clearly better if the tricks are handled.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Bf4 and a3 close behind. Nc3 develops, guards e4 and d5, and keeps Bf4 ready to protect e5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.