ECO C44 · Latvian Gambit

Latvian Gambit: Clam Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d3 f5 4. exf5

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… d5−0.44

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Latvian Gambit: Clam Gambit (C44), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d3 f5 4. exf5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… d5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.444… d5 5. d4 e4 6. Ne5 Nxe5 7. dxe5 Bxf5 8. Be3 Qd7 9. c4
  2. +0.574… Bc5 5. h3 d5 6. g4 h5 7. Bg2 hxg4 8. hxg4 Rxh1+ 9. Bxh1
  3. +0.604… Nf6 5. h3 d5 6. g4 g6 7. fxg6 hxg6 8. Bg2 Qd6 9. Ng5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Latvian Gambit: Clam Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d3 f5 4. exf5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… d5 for Black, continuing 5. d4 e4 6. Ne5 Nxe5 7. dxe5 Bxf5 8. Be3 Qd7 9. c4. Black is slightly better (−0.44). The next best moves are 4… Bc5 (+0.57) and 4… Nf6 (+0.60).
Is the Latvian Gambit: Clam Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.44: 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: Clam Gambit?
C44. 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+).