ECO C40 · Latvian Gambit

Latvian Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. Nxe5+1.24

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Latvian Gambit (C40), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.24).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.243. Nxe5 Qf6 4. d4 d6 5. Nc4 fxe4 6. Nc3 Qg6 7. h4 Nf6
  2. +1.153. exf5 Nf6 4. Nc3 d5 5. d4 e4 6. Ne5 Bb4 7. g4 O-O
  3. +1.093. Nc3 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Nf6 5. Ng4 Be7 6. d4 O-O 7. Nxf6+ Bxf6

All Latvian Gambit variations (16)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Latvian Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White, continuing Qf6 4. d4 d6 5. Nc4 fxe4 6. Nc3 Qg6 7. h4 Nf6. White is clearly better (+1.24). The next best moves are 3. exf5 (+1.15) and 3. Nc3 (+1.09).
Is the Latvian Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.24: white is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Latvian Gambit?
C40. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).