ECO C40 · Latvian Gambit

Latvian Gambit: Behting Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6

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

8. Be2−0.45

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Latvian Gambit: Behting Variation (C40), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Be2 for White. Black is slightly better (−0.45).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.458. Be2 Bh3 9. d4 Qxh2 10. c4 Bxf1 11. Bxf1 Bb4+ 12. Nc3 Kf8
  2. −0.588. Bxd5 Bh3 9. Bf7+ Kd7 10. Bc4 Ng4 11. d4 Nc6 12. Nf7 Nxh2
  3. −1.128. Bb5+ Nc6 9. Qe2 Bd6 10. f3 Bh3 11. Qxg2 Bxg2 12. fxe4 Bxf1

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Latvian Gambit: Behting Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Be2 for White, continuing Bh3 9. d4 Qxh2 10. c4 Bxf1 11. Bxf1 Bb4+ 12. Nc3 Kf8. Black is slightly better (−0.45). The next best moves are 8. Bxd5 (−0.58) and 8. Bb5+ (−1.12).
Is the Latvian Gambit: Behting Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.45: black is slightly 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: Behting Variation?
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+).