Englund Gambit Declined: Reversed French: what to play after e3?

exd4! — Excellent Choice!

✅ One of 2 top moves — you found the most precise way to handle the center!

Why this move is excellent: By playing exd4, you immediately resolve the tension in the center and prevent White from building a massive pawn duo. You force White to recapture with the e3 pawn, which opens up the diagonal for your pieces while keeping the position balanced and open.

Multiple Valid Strategies

Different paths, same destination: While exd4 is the most popular choice (played by 52% of humans), d6 is a perfectly viable "Old Steinitz" style approach. Your choice is more active, forcing White to define their pawn structure immediately, whereas the alternative is more patient and defensive. Both keep the game completely equal.

Your Continuation

After exd4, the game likely proceeds: exd4 Nf6 Nf3 d5 Bd3

What Made This Move Good

You correctly saw: That the d4 pawn was a direct threat to your central control. By capturing, you ensure that White's e3 becomes a fixed target or a block for their own c1.

📚 Takeaway: When faced with a central challenge, you can either release the tension (like you did) or reinforce it. Both are correct here, but your move leads to a very clear and healthy development path!