Englund Gambit and Hartlaub-Charlick Gambit
Englund Gambit
Definition
The Englund Gambit is the provocative reply 1…e5?! to White’s queen-pawn opening 1. d4. After the natural capture 2. dxe5, Black sacrifices a pawn in hopes of rapid development and early tactical skirmishes, most commonly reaching the main line 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7.
How It Is Used
- As a surprise weapon in blitz or rapid chess, where unfamiliarity can outweigh objective soundness.
- To lure White into sharp positions with open lines for Black’s bishops and queen.
- In correspondence and engine-aided play it is rare, because best defense gives White a clear plus.
Strategic Themes
- Rapid piece activity – Black often plays …Nc6, …Qe7, …Nxe5, and …d6 to mobilize quickly.
- Central tension – By delaying recapture of the pawn, Black keeps the e-file half-open for tactical threats like …Qxe5+.
- King-side initiative – Ideas such as …Bg4, …0-0-0, and sacrifices on f2 appear in many lines.
- Risk vs. Reward – If White consolidates, the extra pawn and space edge usually tell.
Historical Notes
The gambit is named after the Swedish player Fritz Englund (1871-1933), who analyzed and promoted it in the early 20th century. Although never popular at elite level, it has enjoyed cult status in coffee-house circles and online bullet arenas.
Illustrative Miniature
A classic trap shows the latent danger for an unprepared White player:
After 9…Nxc2+ Black wins the queen; the entire game lasts barely ten moves.
Interesting Facts
- Grandmasters such as Hikaru Nakamura have tried the Englund in blitz streams for entertainment value.
- The modern engine-approved antidote is the calm 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Nc3, when White keeps the pawn and avoids tricks.
- Some databases treat the Englund Gambit as code A40 in ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings).
Hartlaub-Charlick Gambit
Definition
The Hartlaub-Charlick Gambit arises after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5?! — a daring counter-gambit inside the Queen’s Gambit universe. Black immediately strikes at the center, offering the e-pawn in return for open lines and rapid development. The main branch continues 3. dxe5 d4, when Black chases the c3-knight square and builds a broad pawn wedge.
Origins of the Name
The double-barrelled title honors two 19th-century enthusiasts: George Hartlaub of Germany and Oscar Charlick of Australia, both early adopters who published analysis in local magazines.
Typical Plans
- For Black
- Push …d4 to cramp White’s queen knight.
- Place pieces on active posts: …Nc6, …Bg4, …Qe7.
- Sometimes castle long and launch a pawn storm with …f6 or …g5.
- For White
- Return the pawn via e3 or Nf3/e3 to achieve smooth development.
- Exploit Black’s weakened light squares and lagging king safety.
- Aim to trade queens; the extra pawn favours an endgame.
Theoretical Assessment
Modern theory brands the gambit dubious (≈/+) — with best play White retains an edge. Nevertheless, engines reveal many tactical resources that can punish inaccurate defense, keeping the line viable as a practical weapon.
Example Game: “The Adelaide Bolt” (Charlick, 1894)
Charlick’s swashbuckling style culminated in a mating attack on the light squares after only 20 moves, illustrating the gambit’s punch when White drifts.
Trivia & Anecdotes
- The line was once nicknamed the “Queen’s Gambit Gone Wrong,” reflecting Black’s attempt to turn the tables on the traditional pawn offer.
- In bullet chess, the tricky trap 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. a3 Bf5 6. b4? Qe7! has caught thousands of players on streaming platforms.
- ECO classifies it as D20, the same family as the Albin Counter-Gambit, another early …e5 strike.