The Englund Gambit, named after the Swedish player Fritz Carl Anton Englund, gained recognition in the early 20th century. Englund, a creative and unorthodox player, introduced this gambit as a response to the commonly played 1.d4 d5. By deviating from traditional openings, Englund sought to throw opponents off balance and create an unbalanced and tactical position from the very beginning.
One of the primary benefits of the Englund Gambit is the surprise factor. Many players, accustomed to traditional openings, may find themselves unprepared for the tactical challenges presented by this gambit. It forces opponents to think on their feet, often leading to suboptimal moves or mistakes in the early stages of the game.