FoxyChess › Gambits › Latvian Gambit
Latvian Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5. Black strikes back immediately with the f-pawn, aiming to take on e4 and open the f-file. It is sharp and risky, and very dangerous for an unprepared opponent.
The idea
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 is the King's Gambit played by Black, a move late. Black offers the f-pawn (and sometimes the e-pawn) to open the f-file and get a wild game. It has been analysed almost to death and is thought to be unsound, but it still catches people in blitz.
What happens next
After 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 Black has the centre and the open f-file, and will develop with …Nf6, …Be7 and castle kingside. Against 3.Bc4, 3…fxe4 4.Nxe5 Qg5 is the main line, with threats on g2.
How to play against it
White's best is 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.Nc4 fxe4 5.Nc3, when Black's queen and e4 pawn are targets. Keep the pieces developed, don't grab too much, and Black's exposed king usually tells.
A key line
More lines
Latvian Gambit Accepted
Latvian Gambit, 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.Nc4
Latvian Gambit, 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4
Learn it move by move on the board, then try it against Foxy, the bot who plays these tricks for real. Free to join, no card needed.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. You must be 13 or over.
All 8 lines in this gambit
- Latvian Gambit
- Latvian Gambit Accepted
- Latvian Gambit, 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.Nc4
- Latvian Gambit, 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4
- Latvian Gambit Declined, 3.Bc4
- Latvian Gambit Declined, 3.d4
- Latvian Gambit Declined, 3.exf5
- Latvian Gambit Declined, 3.Nc3