What do I do as a London system player against the Englund gambit

3.f4 is a nonsense move. Frankly, you're rated too high to suggest it.

Like someone else mentioned, there is basically only one trick to this opening... so as white do whatever you want as long as it isn't falling for that.

And since white can do whatever they want, they wont be playing 3.f4, because that's silly.

After 3.f4? something like 3...d6 (I think it's preferrable to 3...f6 because it gives Black bigger piece mobility) 4.exd6 Bxd6 Black already has excellent compensation with something like ...Qe7, ...Bg4 and ...0-0-0 in mind. Perhaps white should refrain from 4.exd6 and play 4.e4, but then he/she cannot claim any sort of advantage.

And there is no need for "illustrative games" to show that such an unpricipled move like 3.f4? cannot be good. Opening principles are quite enough. 3.Nf3 is the logical and principled way to play.

I know....a GM says its nothing and sells it. Now he lost like 9 of 10 games...never mind that I suppose.  1 e4 nc6 2 d4 e5 3 dxe5....

But the point of mentioning f4 was holding onto the pawn. Which was about his rating and there are 3 courses of action. You believe to just memorize this move. A steady diet of tricks and who knows what. Maybe his limit is 600 I dont know.

And so really there is no stupid answer and no stupid question.

Hey, thanks for responding to that question I had about a week ago. Kinda embarrased by those queen bunders, especially since the person I was playing was in the same room lol. But I'd still be intersted about that line against the Englund because even if I might not use is right away, I would like to be able to know I have it so that when I feel ready, I can learn and play it.

I like those kind of openings just because I don't like to spend too much time thinking in the opening, but I've been looking up some of the strongest opponents moves so that I can react the best way against them and hopefully not end up in terrible situations. Openings like the London also give me a clearer plan in the middle game, and instead of trading left and right, I know which trades are better even if it's equal material. And tbh, playing e4 is scary because that's what most people in lower ratings play and what most people are prepared against. And I personally perfer closed positions than open positions. But idk, you're the IM here so what opening should I try looking into?

Could you just capture the first free pawn and then start playing immediately towards Kings Indian setup, Ive tried this and Englund players don't seem to get strong attack. Just dont try to hold on to the 1 pawn advantage and you seem to get much more organized games out of Englund start.

I just take the pawn because I know all their tricks

i got bullied in this bullet where i fell right into his trap

so dont do like me