Latvian Gambit
What is the Latvian Gambit?
The Latvian Gambit is a chess opening that begins with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5. It is classified under ECO C40–C44 and has 17 named variations. Black chooses it with the move f5.
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5
ECO: C40–C44
Chosen by: Black
Main variations
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. c4
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. g4
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. d4
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nc3
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. b4
All 17 variations
| ECO | Variation | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| C40 | Main line | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 |
| C40 | Diepstraten Countergambit | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. c4 |
| C40 | Lobster Gambit | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. g4 |
| C40 | Mason Countergambit | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. d4 |
| C40 | Mayet Attack | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 |
| C40 | Mlotkowski Variation | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nc3 |
| C40 | Senechaud Gambit | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. b4 |
| C40 | Fraser Defense | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Nc6 |
| C40 | Greco Variation | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Qe7 |
| C40 | Mayet Attack, Morgado Defense | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 Nf6 |
| C40 | Mayet Attack, Strautins Gambit | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 b5 |
| C44 | Clam Gambit | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d3 f5 4. exf5 |
| C40 | Corkscrew Countergambit | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Nf6 |
| C40 | Mayet Attack, Polerio-Svedenborg Variation | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 d5 |
| C40 | Mayet Attack, Poisoned Pawn Variation | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. d4 Qxg2 |
| C40 | Corkscrew Gambit | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Nf6 4. Bc4 fxe4 5. Nf7 Qe7 6. Nxh8 d5 |
| C40 | Behting Variation | 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6 |
How to learn an opening
Learn the ideas before the moves: where the pieces go, which pawn breaks matter and what the typical middlegame plans are. Then play it, and after each game look up the point where you or your opponent left the known moves. MentoChess shows that point automatically for every game you import.
Opening lessons: Three golden opening rules · Scholar’s mate and how to stop it · Italian Game: plans, not just moves · Answering 1.d4: the Queen’s Gambit Declined · Meeting the Sicilian with 2.c3 · From moves to structures