ECO C40 · Latvian Gambit

Latvian Gambit: Lobster Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. g4

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

3… fxe4−1.61

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Latvian Gambit: Lobster Gambit (C40), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. g4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… fxe4 for Black. Black is clearly better (−1.61).

Top engine moves

  1. −1.613… fxe4 4. Nxe5 d6 5. Nc4 d5 6. Ne3 d4 7. Nf5 Nc6 8. Bg2
  2. −0.353… fxg4 4. Nxe5 Qe7 5. Nxg4 Qxe4+ 6. Qe2 Qxe2+ 7. Bxe2 Nc6 8. Nc3
  3. 0.003… d5 4. exf5 e4 5. Nd4 Bc5 6. Nb3 Bxf2+ 7. Kxf2 Qh4+ 8. Kg2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Latvian Gambit: Lobster Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. g4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… fxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Nxe5 d6 5. Nc4 d5 6. Ne3 d4 7. Nf5 Nc6 8. Bg2. Black is clearly better (−1.61). The next best moves are 3… fxg4 (−0.35) and 3… d5 (0.00).
Is the Latvian Gambit: Lobster Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −1.61: black 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: Lobster 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+).