Williams Gambit

The Williams Gambit, 1. f4 d5 2. e4, offers the e-pawn at once and is essentially the Englund Gambit with colors reversed. After 2...dxe4 the engine gives Black a clear advantage, and White's compensation consists largely of tricks. One runs 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Qe2 Bf5 5. Qb5+ Bd7 6. Qxb7, when 6...Bc6?? loses to the pin 7. Bb5, while 6...Nc6 and ...Rb8 leaves Black winning. Another is 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 exd3 5. Ne2, where 5...dxe2?? 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Qxd8 wins the queen. Black's simplest course is to return the pawn and use the time White spends regaining it for development. 2...e5 is also common and transposes to the Falkbeer Countergambit of the King's Gambit Declined. Despite the engine verdict, Lichess results are close to even.

The origin of the name is uncertain. The Oxford Companion credits Elijah Williams, but no games of his with the line are known; a 1997 monograph by William L. Williams claimed the gambit as his own invention from 1975.