Tricky openings, traps and other

@Diwaditya It's far away from perfect, but it was a funny game.
@wornaki I don't see a reason to be blocked by my opponent :)

Nice game, dear @Tante-Emma!
Eine wunderschöne Partie - die Wiederlegung 6.Sc3 gespielt und konsequent den Vorteil verwertet!
Ich glaub aber 10.a3 Sc6 11.Sd5! beendet das Leiden des Schwarzen schneller...
Well they wont block you - you were white, they are blocking everyone who plays Englund which you dont. xD

Okay, okay @Funkmaus. Thx for the flowers:) I learned the answer of Sc3 from you 😂👍👌.

For me Englund gambit is a substitute for the resign button, because I've difficulties to play something good against 1. d4.

In closed positions I lose space with every move and i can't place my pieces properly.

I think that it is no solution to block every opponent, who plays an opening that I'm uncomfortable with.
That's why I'm searching for a better answer, if my opponent plays d4.

I found the following alternatives:

1. Budapest gambit -> also a trappy opening, positions are often similar to Englund gambit, but the Budapest gambit seems more serious to me.

2. Tarrasch defense -> opens center quickly with c5, because I don't like closed positions.

3. Stonewall -> more closed postions, but with some simple plans and free locations, where I can put my pieces.

Here's what happened when someone tried the Englund Gambit against Alekhine in a simul:

www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1013030

For "amateurs" -- or generally people trying to improve their chess -- I think it's a better idea to play solid openings and build up positional understanding.

I've yet to find someone at my level play the Englund gambit with black in a longer time control. The fact that it is not infrequent in blitz/bullet makes me take it as just the tool of the annoying player. So, I'd rather not face it. :)

@wornaki: In a chess game usually both players decide the characteristics of a chess opening.

There are some easy ways to avoid the Englund:

1. You can play 1. e4 (-> open games and semi-open games)
2. You can decline the Englund:
- 1. d4 e5 2. e3 (Reversed French Variation)
- 1. d4 e5 2. c4 d5 ( -> Albin Countergambit)
- 1. d4 e5 2. c4 Nf6 (-> Budapest gambit)
- 1. d4 e5 2. e4 (-> Center game)
3. You can play "from position".

But why avoid an opening that can be refuted so easily?

To add another point of view: Nowadays more and more players are playing the London with white. They often play 1.d4 and 2. Bf4 very quickly. Englund gambit is one way to say "No, I don't want the London again!" to these players.



This is only one example. Other examples:
- lichess . org/qybRgkR7C8Qa
- lichess . org/1v6CREE6

Just remember: Both players decide the opening. If you don't want to play the Englund, I suggest to refute it or to avoid it by playing another move instead of blocking your opponents. If you just block players, you will face the Englund in other games anyway. Just like friends of open games have to face 1. d4 :-)

I don't mind the Englund gambit per se. Just the combination of the Englund gambit, blitz and my level. I don't want to play it if I can avoid it. Of course, I can't always avoid it. But it also serves as proxy proof for annoying blitz players, as there are many at my level. So, I get to block annoying players and I get to have a better online experience. So, why not?

I see the "benefits" of the Englund gambit, but by the same token, I see why I'm hostile to it. And I like to face players that play the "same way" in "classical", rapid and blitz. It's a preference. :)

@wornaki: Not all Englund players of your level are annoying. Most of them just don't know how to defend in closed games. Some tactical players are tired of London or Colle-Zukertort openings. They enjoy gambits very much, because most gambit games are sharp and spicy.

We played a nice game in August 2019 (not Englund :-) ) when I was at your current level. We improved a lot in the last few mounts. And I've good news for you: At about 1600 the number of Englund games will decline constantly.

If we play next time, simply play 1. e4 or remind me of this thread before playing 1. d4. I won't play Englund then.