Off the Wall Opening - Charlick or Englund Gambit
Submitted by
on Fri, 08/15/2008 at 10:00pm.
1.d4 e5 is known as the Charlick or Englund Gambit. Henry Charlick (1845-1916) introduced ...e5 in the 1890s. His variation continued 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 d6. In 1930, Karl Behting (1867-1943) of Riga, Latvia published analysis of this opening, but he did not get credit for the name. In 1909, Behting published analysis of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5, the Greco Gambit, which later became known as the Latvian Gambit. Fritz Englund (1871-1933) favored 1.d4 e5 2.dxe5 Nc6 and sponsored a thematic tournament (Englund's Gambit tournament) using these moves, held in Stockholm in 1932-33, thereby getting the credit for the name. The tournament was won by Swedish Grandmaster Gosta Stoltz (1904-1963). It is probably an unsound opening for Black because White can usually remain a pawn up with a comfortable postion, as long as he does not fall for any traps. I've played it a few times, but don't feel conmfortable with it against stronger opposition. Here is my most recent game using this opening defense. White left holes in his kingside, which allowed me to find a checkmate.
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