How to Play Englund Gambit
The opening begins:
1.d4 e5
The pawn can be simply taken by white with 2.dxe5, with black usually responding with 2...Nc6, activating the knight and placing pressure on the pawn.
In simple terms the idea at the core of the opening is for black to give up material and so there needs to be something in return. This compensation derives from quick development, active pieces and the opportunity to create threats before white has settled down.
But you should play the englund gambit moves like a script, there may be an unexpected move from your opponent and so memorized theory isn't much help.
Instead, think about what Black is trying to achieve: get the pieces out, attack the center and make White uncomfortable.
Englund Gambit Variations
The position after 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 can develop in several ways.
A popular idea is ...Qe7, placing pressure on e5-pawn and preparing to recover the sacrificed material. Depending on White's choices, Black can get active play around the center and the king.
Then there are the famous englund gambit traps.
The Blackburne Trap is probably the name most players will come across when studying this opening. It relies on White becoming too interested in grabbing material and overlooking what Black is actually threatening.
That doesn't mean you should play the Englund purely because you hope your opponent falls into a trap. Against someone who knows the ideas, those tricks may never appear. You still need to be comfortable playing the resulting position.
How to Counter Englund Gambit
The first thing to remember for white is if you are deliberately given you a pawn by black.
You should feel pressure to give this black straight away nor become obsessive about collecting more material. That is often how gambits get their compensation.
Develop your pieces, keep an eye on your king and be careful about tactical shots around the e-file.
If you don't like the positions that arise after accepting the pawn, there is nothing wrong with choosing a quieter response to 1...e5. The best defense is often the one that leads to positions you understand.
The main thing is to avoid playing too quickly just because Black's opening looks unusual.
Englund Gambi History
The opening is named after Swedish player Fritz Carl Anton Englund. It has never reached the same level of popularity as some of the major defenses against 1.d4, but it has survived as an interesting surprise weapon.
That probably says a lot about its appeal.
The Englund is the sort of opening that can be particularly effective outside top-level theory. In a club or online game, your opponent may be seeing the position for the first time. A few unfamiliar moves can be enough to make an otherwise comfortable game much harder.
It has also picked up a following among players who simply enjoy tactical chess.
Summary on Englund Gambit
The Englund Gambit starts with a pawn sacrifice: 1.d4 e5.
Black isn't claiming that the pawn doesn't matter. The idea is that the lead in development and the pressure against White can make up for it.
If you are playing with the black pieces, it's best to learn the ideas of the trap rather than memorizing sequences. However if you are playing white, keep in mind why you played the gambit in the first place and don't give into black attacks.
This is not a safe opening. That's also why some players enjoy it.
Sometimes, making your opponent uncomfortable from move one is worth taking a little risk.