English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense, Löhn Gambit: what should White play?

In the symmetrical central structure arising from the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense, Löhn Gambit, White's most effective continuation is Nc3. Developing the knight behind the central pawn chain immediately targets the key central squares, yielding a slight engine evaluation of +0.11. By playing Nc3, White retains central flexibility while preserving options to develop the dark-squared bishop outside the pawn chain.

The strategic case for Nc3

The overwhelming choice in database practice is Nc3, selected in 77.3% of recorded games (1.64M recorded). Developing the knight to c3 puts direct pressure on d5 and prepares natural development for the kingside pieces. A representative engine continuation follows Nc3 c6 Bf4 Nf6 e3 Bf5, where White establishes a solid presence on the queenside while preparing to activate the light-squared bishop.

Development alternatives

A frequent alternative is Nf3, played in 14.8% of games (314K recorded) with an evaluation of +0.00. This move develops the kingside knight first, illustrated by the continuation Nf3 Nf6 Nc3 c6 Qc2 g6. Another option is the immediate bishop development Bf4, seen in 4.1% of games (86K recorded, evaluation +0.05). This line often leads to an early trade of dark-squared bishops via Bf4 Bd6 Bxd6 Qxd6 e3 Bf5.

Minor sidelines

Other choices occur with far less frequency. The quiet flank move a3 is found in 3.7% of games (79K recorded) with an engine evaluation of -0.07, exemplified by a3 Bd6 Nc3 c6 e4 dxe4. The passive retreat-style development Bd2 appears in only 0.2% of games (3.4K recorded) and scores an evaluation of -0.18, leading into Bd2 Nf6 Nc3 c5 Nf3 cxd4.