Englund Gambit: Soller Gambit: what to play after Nxe5?

In the Soller Gambit variation of the Englund Gambit, Black's primary response is Nf6, which develops a kingside piece and targets the central squares. While the computer evaluation favors White at +1.50, Nf6 remains the top choice for Black, occurring in 61.9% of the 251,284 recorded games in this position. It offers the most harmonious piece activity to contest White's advanced knight on e5.

Development via Nf6

Opting for Nf6 allows Black to prioritize rapid kingside deployment while avoiding immediate tactical drawbacks. An illustrative continuation demonstrating standard central maneuvering is Nf6 g3 d5 Bg2 Bd6 Nf3. In this sequence, White relocates the knight and fianchettos the bishop, while Black occupies the center with pawns and bishops, generating compensation in active piece play despite White's +1.50 evaluation.

Alternatives with Nc6 and Qe7

Black's second most common try is Nc6, chosen in 23.0% of encounters (58K recorded games) and holding an engine evaluation of +1.56. Following the illustrative line Nc6 Nxc6 bxc6 e4 Nf6 Bd3, Black accepts a doubled c-pawn structure after the knight trade to secure open lines for the remaining pieces. Alternatively, Qe7 appears in 11.0% of recorded games (28K recorded) with an evaluation of +1.76, immediately contesting the advanced knight via Qe7 Nf3 Nc6 g3 Nf6 Bg2.

Minor Continuations

Other choices are rarely tested but present in the database. The quiet pawn advance c6 accounts for 4.1% of recorded games (10K recorded) with an engine evaluation of +1.85, demonstrated by the illustrative continuation c6 Bf4 Be7 e4 Nf6 Bc4. Lastly, a5 is evaluated at +1.81 and can lead to a5 Nc3 Bb4 Bd2 Nf6 a3, though recorded-game numbers for this specific sideline remain unavailable.