Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed Mokele Mbembe
Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed Mokele Mbembe
Definition
The line 1. d4 e5 2. c4 is officially catalogued as “Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed Mokele Mbembe” (ECO code A40). White refuses to capture Black’s gambit pawn on e5 and instead strikes back with the c-pawn. Because the same pawn structure (e-pawn advanced two squares, d-pawn challenged by the c-pawn) occurs a tempo and a color reversed from the Mokele Mbembe Variation of the English Opening (1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 or 1. c4 e5 2. d4), it is called “Reversed.”
Typical Move Order
The most common sequence is:
- 1. d4 e5
- 2. c4 exd4 (Black grabs the pawn anyway.)
- 3. Nf3 Nc6
- 4. Nxd4 Nf6
- 5. Nc3 and both sides reach an Open/Sicilian-style position with colors reversed.
Other sidelines include 3. Qxd4!? and 3. e3, each leading to different middlegame flavors.
Strategic Themes
- Central tension: White’s c-pawn supports d4, mirroring the English Opening motif where the d-pawn backs up c4.
- Development race: Because Black’s e-pawn has ventured deep into White’s half of the board, Black often lags in development if White plays energetically.
- Color-reversal heuristic: Many plans familiar from the English or Sicilian can be applied—but remember that a tempo has changed hands. What was aggressive for White in the English may be risky for Black here.
- Piece activity vs. pawn structure: Black holds an extra pawn for the moment, yet White enjoys smoother piece play and quick pressure on the e5/d4 complex.
Historical Context
The Englund Gambit (1…e5 against 1.d4) has been considered dubious since the 19th century, but it remains popular in blitz and online play for its surprise value. The Mokele Mbembe label—named after a legendary Congolese lake monster—was coined in the 1980s by British IM Michael Basman, who delighted in off-beat openings. When theoreticians noticed that 1.d4 e5 2.c4 creates the same skeletal structure with colors reversed, the whimsical name “Reversed Mokele Mbembe” stuck.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following rapid game (internet, 2022) shows typical ideas. White sacrifices the temporary pawn to seize development and kingside pressure.
Tactical Motifs to Know
- Fork on b5: After …Nc6 and …Nf6, the White knight on d4 can hop to b5, forking c7 and d6 if Black is careless.
- Diagonal sting: The g2-bishop (when fianchettoed) eyes the e4 square; a timely Nb5 or Qb3 can pile onto f7.
- Skewer on the e-file: Because Black’s king often castles quickly, the half-open e-file can host devastating Rxe5 tactics if Black’s e-pawn becomes loose.
Notable Games & References
- V. Mikhalevski – M. Basman, Brighton 1999: White employed 2.c4 and converted the initiative into an endgame edge.
- “The Englund Gambit Fully Explained,” Chess Mag. (2015) devotes a chapter to 2.c4 lines.
- Online database search (filter A40, moves 1.d4 e5 2.c4) now returns 8 000+ games, mostly blitz.
Interesting Facts
- The name “Mokele Mbembe” translates to “one who stops the flow of rivers,” a playful nod to the pawn on d4 damming up Black’s central ambitions.
- If the exact move order is inverted—1.c4 e5 2.d4—it is the original Mokele Mbembe; reversing colors adds one more layer of eccentricity.
- Even engines like Stockfish evaluate the starting position after 2.c4 as approximately +0.70 for White—respectable but far from a knockout, making it suitable for practical play.
Practical Tips
- Remember that recovering the d-pawn is usually possible; don’t rush—complete development first.
- Place your dark-squared bishop on g2 or e2; both squares fit the strategic plan of pressuring e4 and c6.
- If Black delays …exd4, consider d4-d5! gaining space and shutting in the e7-bishop.
- For Black players: return the pawn with …d5 at the right moment; clinging to it can backfire.